Whole Wheat Raisin-Walnut Artisan Bread

My Mom purchased a La Cloche for me several years ago and I have loved making delicious Artisan bread in it. What I love about making your own bread this way is that it only uses 1/4 tsp. instant yeast and ferments overnight for a much better, healthier bread. This Whole Wheat Raisin-Walnut Artisan Bread tastes so delicious!  You can purchase a La Cloche from Breadtopia.  I also have a Danish Dough Whisk for stirring the ingredients together. This bread is so simple with few ingredients.  I like to make 3 loaves, one to eat while warm, one to save for sandwiches and the other to give away:) When making a loaf for sandwiches, leave out the raisins and walnuts.
View video instructions on Breadtopia for a basic artisan bread in the La Cloche.  I have cut down on the salt, put equal amounts of whole wheat flour to unbleached flour as well as adding raisins & walnuts. Sooo....yummy. Breadtopia has a lot of different recipes for all kinds of yummy breads on their website.  Add in the raisins & walnuts after you have formed the dough.


Ingredients for No Knead Whole Wheat Raisin-Walnut Artisan Bread:
 (Printable Recipe)

1 1/2 cups whole wheat white flour
1 1/2 cups unbleached white flour
1/4 tsp. instant yeast
1 1/4  tsp. salt
1 1/2 cups purified or spring water
1 cup raisins
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (I like mine a little chunky to notice them in the bread)

Mix together the dry ingredients.
Mix in water until the water is incorporated. Dough should be sticky.
Fold in raisins & walnuts.
Cover with plastic (I use plastic shower caps) and let sit overnight on counter.
In the morning transfer dough to floured board and flatten into a rectangle and fold in thirds. Use enough flour to form dough and shape into ball.
Transfer to well floured bowl or basket for proofing . Cover with towel and let rise about 1 1/2 hours.
Bake in covered La Cloche or Dutch oven preheated to 500 degrees for 30 minutes.  La Cloche should gradually heat along with the oven when preheating.  Let bread cool completely on rack.  Let La Cloche cool down with the oven.  You want to prevent extreme temperature changes with the La Cloche to prevent cracking.  You do not need to wash your La Cloche.
To watch video on how to make this bread click the link below:
No Knead Bread