Sprouted Granola Bread (vegan + gluten and leavening free)

Moving made me crave the comfort of food I could not cook (I originally wanted a big bowl of homemade crunchy granola). With this easy bread inspired by a Sarah B's life-changing bread on My New Roots, I had some satisfaction of homebaked goods but with very little mess (one dirty spatula? yes, please!) and a flavor uncompromised.

And you really must check our Sarah B's recipes. She is one of my favorite blogs to follow. Thanks Sarah for the inspiration!

For the almonds, you can use another nut if you wish. Sunflower or pumpkin seeds can be substituted for coconut flakes. Also the vanilla protein powder can be omitted.

The bread "dough" must be made ahead at least two hours (or overnight) before baking. This allows the chia, flax, and psyllium to fully expand, making the bread stick together. This also allows the grains and nuts to "sprout" for easier digestion.

Feel free to experiment with other dried fruit. Dried Mango, apricot, and some lime zest might be a delicious tropical alternative. Dried cherries with hazelnuts instead of almonds would also be yummy.

Sprouted Granola Bread
1 1/2 cup rolled oats (gluten-free certified if sensitive)
1/2 cup flaxseeds
1/2 cup coconut flakes
2 TB chia seeds
3 TB vanilla protein powder of choice (I used a vegan variety)
3 TB psyllium husk powder
3 TB coconut oil, melted
1/2 cup craisins
5-7 chopped dried figs
1/2 cup almonds
3 TB maple syrup or agave nectar or warm honey
1 1/2 cup water

1. Line a loaf pan with parchment paper. Add all dry ingredients. Stir with spatula.
2. Add all wet ingredients (and dried fruit if you haven't already) and stir with spatula. Make sure to get everything on the bottom to the top and worked into the "dough."
3. Let sit for two hours or overnight.
4. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Remove from oven. Pull the loaf out of the pan by using the parchment paper, turn the loaf over and stick back into the oven (out of the loaf pan but on the parchment to prevent a huge seedy mess in the bottom of your oven. Bake for 40 more minutes.
5. Remove from oven and let cool completely before slicing.

Enjoy!

This bread was our companion to a wine tasting at Arbor Crest Winery. Us gals sat in the rose garden, enjoying glasses of merlot with this bread (and other treats) overlooking Spokane and listening to Tuxedo Junction. Quite the evening!

Here is our view from the Rose Garden.