A perfectly crusty bread loaf, with its warm brown tones striking against a rustic wooden board. The top is adorned with toasted pumpkin seeds, adding a dash of green and contrasting texture. When cut, the inside reveals an appealing golden-orange hue from the butternut squash, interspersed with fine, aromatic pieces of sage.

Autumnal Sage Butternut Squash Bread

Name: Autumnal Sage Butternut Squash Bread
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: handful of fresh sage, a handful finely chopped; small butternut squash, 1 small roasted and mashed; pumpkin seeds, 1/4 cup roasted; whole wheat flour, 2 cups None; packet of dry yeast, 1 packet None; warm water, 1 cup None; brown sugar, 1 tablespoon None; olive oil, 1 tablespoon None; sea salt, 1 teaspoon None

Category Brunch

Prep 20 minutes

Cook 35 minutes

Style American

Technique Baking

Diet Friendly Vegetarian

Daily Recipe: October 27, 2023

Bread meets autumn in a spectacular fusion with this recipe. The star ingredient is sage, bringing its earthy and warm character in the midst of these cooler days. To keep it intriguing, we're giving the classic American bread a delightful twist with the incorporation of butternut squash and pumpkin seeds.

Ingredients (for 2)

Handful of fresh sage - a handful - finely chopped
Small butternut squash - 1 small - roasted and mashed
Pumpkin seeds - 1/4 cup - roasted
Whole wheat flour - 2 cups
Packet of dry yeast - 1 packet
Warm water - 1 cup
Brown sugar - 1 tablespoon
Olive oil - 1 tablespoon
Sea salt - 1 teaspoon

Preparation

Step 1 - 💧🌡️🕔

Mix the dry yeast in warm water and leave it aside for 5 minutes to get frothy.
Step 2 - 🍚🥣🍁

Combine whole wheat flour, mashed butternut squash, finely chopped sage, brown sugar, and sea salt in a large bowl.
Step 3 - 💦🥄🤲

Stir in the yeast mixture and olive oil into the bowl. Knead until you achieve a soft, smooth dough.
Step 4 - 🍞⏱️🌞

Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rest in a warm place for approximately 90 minutes to rise.
Step 5 - 🔥🔪🎃

Preheat your oven to 375°F. Place the dough on a baking tray, lightly score the top with a knife, and sprinkle it with roasted pumpkin seeds.
Step 6 - 🍞🕧🔊

Bake the dough for about 30-35 minutes, or until it sounds hollow when tapped.
Step 7 - 🍞🌬️🔪

Let the loaf cool on a wire rack before slicing.

Additional

For those wanting added flavor complexity, consider adding a spoonful of dried cranberries or chopped walnuts. You can also turn this bread into a delectable sandwich with some cream cheese and thin slices of smoked turkey. Little hands can help knead the dough and sprinkle the pumpkin seeds on top of the loaf prior to baking.