1 1/2 cups (6 1/4 ounces) whole-wheat flour

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

2 teaspoons instant yeast

Topping:

1 egg white plus 1 tablespoon water for egg wash

About 1/2 cup favorite mix of grains and seeds

Combine the water and grain blend, and cool to lukewarm. Add remaining dough ingredients and mix together. Knead about 8 minutes by hand, in a mixer or bread machine, until dough is soft and smooth, adding additional water or flour as necessary. Place dough in a large bowl, cover with plastic wrap and a clean towel, and allow dough to rise until almost doubled, about 1 1/2 hours.

Divide dough and roll into three 14-inch logs. Braid the logs on a lightly greased or parchment-lined baking sheet. Use parchment if you're going to bake directly on an oven stone; you can transfer the loaf, parchment and all, to the stone. Brush loaf with egg wash and sprinkle with seeds. Cover with plastic wrap and a clean towel and let rise about 45 minutes, until puffy.

Preheat oven (and baking stone, if you're using one) to 400 degrees. Bake the bread about 28-35 minutes, until it's golden brown. Interior temperature should be 195 degrees or more. Remove the bread from the oven and cool completely on a rack. — King Arthur Flour

BASIC SWEET DOUGH

This soft, pliable dough can be used for braids, cinnamon rolls, monkey bread and other shapes.

3/4 cup (6 ounces) warm water

2 teaspoons sugar

1 tablespoon active dry yeast

1/2 cup (2 ounces) all-purpose flour

3/4 cup (6 ounces) plain low-fat yogurt

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened

2 large eggs, lightly beaten

1/2 cup (3 1/2 ounces) sugar

2 teaspoons salt

2 teaspoons vanilla or other flavoring (such as citrus zest)

4 1/2 to 5 1/2 cups (19 to 23 1/4 ounces) all-purpose flour (or substitute up to 2 cups King Arthur 100% White Whole Wheat Flour)

1 egg, plus 1 tablespoon water (for egg wash)

In a small bowl, combine the warm water and 2 teaspoons sugar. Stir to dissolve. Stir in the yeast and 1/2 cup flour. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside until bubbly and active, about 10-15 minutes.