Step-by-Step Instructions
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Whisk the Dry Base: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, flaxseeds, sunflower seeds, instant yeast, and salt until completely combined.
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Mix into a Batter-Dough: Pour the warm water and honey into the dry ingredients. Stir with a wooden spoon or silicone spatula just until a sticky, wet dough forms and no dry flour patches remain. It will look more like a thick, shaggy porridge than traditional bread dough, which is exactly what you want.
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Fill the Jars: Generously grease the insides of 3 to 4 wide-mouth, straight-sided, oven-safe glass jars (like thick canning jars or Weck jars) with olive oil or melted butter. Divide the sticky dough evenly among the jars, filling them no more than halfway up to leave plenty of room for expansion.
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The Proofing Rise: Cover the jars loosely with a damp towel or plastic wrap. Let them sit in a warm, draft-free spot for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until the dough has doubled in size, rising beautifully toward the rim of the jars.
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Bake to Golden Perfection: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the uncovered jars carefully onto a baking sheet. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until the tops are deeply golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
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Cool, Slide, and Slice: Remove the sheet from the oven and let the jars cool for 10 minutes. Run a thin knife around the inside edge of each jar, and the loaves will slide right out onto a cutting board. Let them cool completely before using a sharp serrated knife to cut them into flawless, round slices.
Chef’s Pro Tips
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CRUCIAL SAFETY NOTE: Make absolutely sure you are using high-quality, heavy-duty, thermal-shock-resistant glass jars (like authentic canning jars). Avoid jars with dramatic shoulders or tapered necks, or the bread will get trapped inside! Straight-sided jars ensure the loaf slides out effortlessly.
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The “Cold Oven” Trick: If you are nervous about putting glass jars into a roaring hot oven, place the baking sheet with the jars into a cold oven, then turn the heat on to 375°F. Just add about 5 to 7 minutes to the total baking time to account for the heat-up period.
Flavor Twists
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The Everything Bagel Blend: Swap out the plain flax and sunflower seeds for a generous 1/4 cup of everything bagel seasoning (sesame seeds, poppy seeds, garlic flakes, onion flakes, and coarse salt) mixed straight into the batter.
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Mediterranean Herb & Olive: Fold in a handful of finely chopped Kalamata olives, a teaspoon of dried rosemary, and a pinch of garlic powder before transferring the dough to the jars.
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Sweet Seeded Cranberry: Add 1/4 cup of dried cranberries and a dash of cinnamon along with the seed mixture for a slightly sweet morning toast bread that pairs divinely with cream cheese.
