This Pilgrim Loaf is a tasty bread that celebrates the flavors of the Harvest. It is uniquely shaped like a Pilgrim’s collar and includes brown rice, pecans, honey and molasses for a savory delight. This Harvest Bread would make a wonderful addition to your Thanksgiving feast. It has a nutty flavor with just a hint of sweetness.

Thanksgiving Pilgrim Loaf

Makes 1 loaf
The recipe for this festive bread is courtesy of ACH Foods (Fleischmann Yeast).

Ingredients:

• 3 to 3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup cornmeal
• 1 package instant yeast
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup water
• 1/4 cup butter or margarine
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons molasses
• 1-1/2 cups cooked wild rice or brown rice, cooled* (I used a mixture of long grain & wild rice)
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans, walnuts or hazelnuts, toasted
• 2 tablespoons cornmeal

* 1-1/2 cups cooked rice equals about 1/3 cup uncooked wild rice or 1/2 cup uncooked brown rice.

Directions:

In a large bowl, combine 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup cornmeal, undissolved yeast, and salt. Heat water, butter, honey, and molasses until very warm (120°F to 130°F). Gradually add to flour mixture. Beat 2 minutes at medium speed of electric mixer, scraping bowl occasionally. Stir in rice, nuts and enough remaining flour to make a soft dough.

Knead on lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 8 to 10 minutes.

Cover; let rest 10 minutes. Roll dough to 9-inch circle.

Fold in half, slightly off center, so top layer is set back 1 inch from bottom edge.

With sharp knife, make 4 equally spaced cuts from curved edge toward folded edge, about 2 / 3 of the way across loaf (cutting through both layers).

Place on greased baking sheet that has been sprinkled with 1 tablespoon cornmeal. Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 45 minutes. Sprinkle top of loaf with remaining cornmeal.

Bake at 375°F for 30 minutes or until done. Remove from sheet; cool on wire rack before slicing or serving.  Or use the Pilgrim Loaf as part of a festive table decoration.

Happy Baking!
Cathy