Not only is this indulgent muesli bread gorgeous, but it’s also full of nuts, seeds, and dried fruit! Enjoy for breakfast with butter and strawberry preserves.
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I know I push making homemade staples on you guys (see: DIY ketchup, Pumpkin Granola, etc etc etc) but I only do it with the best intentions in mind. It’s healthier, you know exactly what is going into your body, and it oftentimes taste better. I totally get that you aren’t going to always have time to make everything from scratch, but you really should make some time now and then to make homemade bread.
It may sound unnecessary when you can walk down the street and pick up a loaf for 4 dollars, but let me tell you…nothing compares to homemade bread. There is something so satisfyingly addicting about fresh, steamy, buttered bread hot out of the oven. It’s more addicting than that chocolate you sneak after dinner… than that giant triple espresso latte your body tells you it needs in the morning…this stuff is probably more addicting [and healthier] than crack [although I have no real life experience to testify this – sorry!].
Anyhow, cooler weather means we can turn our oven on for more than 20 minutes without fainting..or worse yet, feeling guilty about having it on. It means we stay in doors more (unless you are a skier…then you are gearing up for your busiest season. Luckily, my brother go the skiing bug in my family so I can safely say I prefer the indoors during the cooler months) so we have more time to prep the dough, we have more excuses to heat the house by turning the oven up, and we have more reason to “carb-up” (probably not a word but I’m using it) so our bodies can use those calories to keep us warm.
Okay, maybe I am over exaggerating a bit…it is still 60 degrees out there but when you are dealing with something as amazing as fresh bread, you NEED to extend the bread season as long as possible. So put your slippers on, turn that oven up, and start shivering so your body can crave those carbs!
Last “bread season” I tackled Garlic Naan, Breadmaker Jalapeno Cheese Bread, Pretzel Bread, Fall Focaccia, and Oatmeal Honey Buttermillk loaves (my personal favorite), to name a few. This season, I am starting it off with this breakfast muesli bread! I am really gonna have to go big this season because this bread is already one of my favorites! Not only is it gorgeous to look at but it’s bursting with flavor from the nuts, seeds, and dried fruit! We ate this for breakfast with a thin layer of butter and strawberry preserves…oh. my. goodness. I wish breakfast could be this indulgent all the time!
What’s Needed for Muesli Bread?
This dried fruit, nut, and seed bread requires few ingredients. Here’s all that goes into this easy muesli bread:
- Warm water
- All-purpose flour
- Salt
- Fast acting yeast
- Pumpkin seeds
- Dried cherries
- Almonds
How to Make Muesli Bread
- Combine the warm water and yeast in a large cup. Set aside to let the yeast activate.
- Combine the flour, salt, and yeast mixture.
- Form the dough into a ball. Let it rise for 1 hour at room temperature, then let sit in fridge for another hour.
- Transfer dough to floured surface and knead.
- Add in seeds, dried cherries, and chopped almonds. Knead to incorporate.
- Shape dough into a ball and let rest while the oven preheats.
- Bake the muesli bread until browned on top and done in the center.
Can I Prep the Dough the Night Before?
Yes! I have done this with similar bread recipes in the past and it turned out great! For best results, I recommend taking the dough out of the fridge 30 to 40 minutes before baking so that it can rise a little at room temperature.
Tips for Making Muesli Bread
I used pumpkin seeds, chopped almonds, and dried cherries in this muesli bread recipe, but you’re welcome to use any mixture of seeds, nuts, and dried fruit you’d like.
This nut and dried fruit bread is best enjoyed the day it’s made, but leftovers can be toasted the next day.
You can also freeze this nut and seed bread — either the entire loaf or individual slices. Just be sure to wrap tightly in plastic wrap or seal in a freezer bag to prevent freezer burn!
Want More Bread Recipes?
- Savory Zucchini Bread with Whipped Goat Cheese & Dill
- Seedy Blueberry Banana Bread
- Garden Harvest Vegetable Bread
- Kale, Tomato, & Garlic Breadsticks
- Pumpkin Sage Drop Biscuits
- All of my bread recipes!
Not only is this indulgent muesli bread gorgeous, but it's also full of nuts, seeds, and dried fruit! Enjoy for breakfast with butter and strawberry preserves.
- 1 1/2 cups warm water
- 3 1/4 cups flour (+ more for dusting)
- 1/2 Tablespoon salt
- 3/4 Tablespoon fast acting yeast
- 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
- 1/4 cup dried cherries (or any dried fruit you’d prefer)
- 1/4 cup almonds , chopped
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In a small measuring cup, combine the warm water and yeast and set aside (this will give the yeast a few minutes to ‘activate’ and start foaming).
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Meanwhile, in a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt.
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Slowly add the water mixture into the flour mixture and stir until combined (this will either take a sturdy spatula or maybe even your hands…the dough will be very sticky).
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Once the dough has formed a ball, place in an oiled bowl and cover with a towel. Let sit for 1 hour in a warm spot and then transfer to the fridge for 1 hour.
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Once the dough is ready, remove from the fridge and transfer to a floured counter top. Knead the dough a few times and then add in the almonds, pumpkin seeds, and cherries. Knead until everything is incorporated (try to keep the add-ins as much in the middle as possible because they tend to burn if they are sticking out on top).
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Transfer dough to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and sprinkle with flour.
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Adjust your oven racks so there is one on the lowest spot and then one in the middle. Place a metal or cast iron (NOT GLASS) pan on the bottom shelf and preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
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Let dough rise for about 20 minutes or until the oven has preheated.
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Stick the dough into the preheated oven and pour 1 cup of warm water into the metal pan (it’ll steam – don’t worry! It’s suppose to!) and cook for about 30 minutes.
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Remove from oven once the top is browned and serve warm with butter and/or jam.
Recipe adapted from Minimalist Baker.
19 Comments
recipemirror
I’ve never had muesli bread. I think I need to try this. Soon!
Charlotte
Totally agree with the “make it yourself approach”! I tried making my own Nutella though it does not make it much less fat…but I know which & how much at least. (http://kickass-cooking.com/2012/10/07/homemade-nutella-3-ingredients/). Love muesli bread, and this one looks delicious! I’ll definitely try your ketchup too.
Shelly
Charlotteglad to hear we are on the same page!
Allison
That bread looks lovely!
Megan
Looks delicious!
myhealthyohana
I love baking my own bread, you’re right, there’s something so satisfying about it! Love the combination of fruits and nuts you put into this one…what a great breakfast bread!!
And I just bookmarked your garlic naan…that’s been on my list of things to try to make on my own for a while now 🙂
shellywest
myhealthyohanaoh! The homemade garlic naan is SO yummy and pretty easy! Let me know when you try it!
debraregan
Looks scrumptious
shellywest
debrareganThanks! : ]
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Psykdelia Smith
Hi, this may seem like a stupid question, but when you say stick the dough in the oven, do you mean directly onto the metal rack or stll in its baking tray.. just want to be clear before i try it out! Thank you 🙂
Shelly
Psykdelia SmithKeep it on the baking tray lined with parchment paper and make sure you stick a cast iron pot under filled with water so the steam can rise around the pan and have contact with the bread.
Does that make sense? Hope that helped and happy baking!
psykdeliasmith
Hola.. do you think it would be alright to make the dough the night before and leave it in the fridge overnight to cook in the morning to have it fresh for brekky?? It sounds great, i’m looking forward to trying it out !
Shelly
psykdeliasmithDefinitely! I have done this with similar bread recipes in the past and it turned out great! For best results, I would recommend trying to take it out of the fridge 30 to 40 minutes before baking so that it can rise a little at room temperature.
Let me know how it turns out!
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Meredith
Looks wonderful! Do you think you could make it with whole wheat flour? Thanks!!
Shellywest
MeredithI bet you could! Although I’ve never tried to – I’d imagine it may just be a little less fluffy (which is totally okay).
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Jenny
Ended up having to use extra flour to make the dough, but it still was really yummy! Great recipe!
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