Note: A Yeasted batter bread, Ashland Bread receives only one, brief rising.

Generously butter two 4 x 8-inch loaf pans and sprinkle one tablespoon sunflower seeds in each.

Place the remaining 4 tablespoons sunflower seeds and the rest of the ingredients in a mixer bowl and blend with the dough hook at medium speed for 8 minutes, or stir by hand energetically for 15 minutes. Divide the batter between the 2 pans. Loosely drape with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place just until the batter reaches the top edge of the pans. This will take only 10 to 14 minutes if you're using fine-grained whole wheat flour and 20 to 30 minutes with a coarser grind. When you set the loaves to rise, preheat the oven to 400 degree F with the rack in the center position.

Remove the plastic wrap and bake the bread for 15 minutes, rotate the pans, and bake another 15 minutes. The bread will be firm to the touch and molasses-colored, but won't rise much above the rim of the pan (don't look for a rounded top). Remove from the pans and cool on a rack. toast and enjoy with butter or cheese.

4x8-inch loaf pans
2 medium loaves

6 tablespoons raw sunflower seeds
3 cups warm water
3/8 cup (1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons) honey
3 tablespoons quick-rise yeast
4 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup wheat bran
1 cup wheat germ
4 tablespoons brown sesame seeds (available in natural foods and Asian foods stores)
1 1/2 teaspoons salt