This Sunflower Whole Wheat Bread Mix was something special right from the moment I opened the package. The bread had a delicious, buttery flavor without a “wheaty” taste.

Published December 17, 2024

This bread mix was tested with a Zojirushi BB-PAC20, the Home Bakery Virtuoso (learn more about  the bread machines I own and recommend) at an altitude of 3,700 feet.

I wondered what Sunflower Whole Wheat Bread Mix would be like.  I realized I was in for something special when I opened the package.  

I was pleasantly surprised when I opened the bag and saw oatmeal and sunflower kernels.  

After looking at the ingredients, I understood why. The top four ingredients of this mix are: enriched whole wheat flour, whole wheat flour, sunflower kernels and rolled oats.  

The bread was really good!  The sunflower kernels added a nice bit of texture. Overall, the bread was soft and not dense.  It was slightly sweet and hearty.

The flavor was almost buttery without a “wheaty” taste.  The Man of the House (TMOTH) is not a fan of whole wheat bread, but he really liked this! 

What are Sunflower Kernels

So what are sunflower kernels?  That’s the edible part of the sunflower seed.

When sunflower seeds are shelled, what remains are the kernels. These kernels are rich in healthy fats, protein, fiber, and various vitamins and minerals, including vitamin E, magnesium, and selenium. 

Sunflower kernels have a mild, nutty flavor.

Preparing Sunflower Whole Wheat Bread Mix

This mix is for a two-pound bread machine.  Use the basic cycle with the medium crust setting.

While I used a bread machine for this mix, the package also has instructions for making it by hand and baking it in the oven. You could also use the dough cycle of your bread machine and then bake the bread in the oven.

The instructions on the package say to add water that’s exactly eighty degrees. I use a Zojirushi bread machine, which has a cycle that preheats the ingredients.  In some machines this is called the preheat cycle, in others it’s called the rest cycle.  In any case, I just added room-temperature water.

The mix called for butter.  Again, because of the preheat or rest cycle, I simply cubed the butter and put a piece in each corner of the bread pan.  

However, if your bread machine doesn’t have a cycle that preheats ingredients, you should follow the instructions on the package. 

I added the ingredients as recommended by the instructions that came with my Zo, being careful to make a little nest for the yeast.

Even with bread mixes, it’s important to keep an eye on the dough after it begins to knead.  After five or ten minutes of kneading, open the top of the bread machine and check the dough.  It should be a smooth, round ball. 

If the dough is too dry add liquid a teaspoon at a time until it looks right.  If it looks too wet, add flour a tablespoon at a time until it looks good.  

I didn’t need to add anything to this beauty!

Sunflower Whole Wheat Bread

And how did the bread turn out?  Just take a look!

While You’re at Prepared Pantry

While you’re at Prepared Pantry, check out these two mixes. They’re my favorites and I buy several of these every year.