mix-in's for bread recipes

With everyone making homemade bread lately I thought I would share some mix-in's that have helped my DH keep eating it even though DH isn't a big bread eater!

*2 tablespoons wheat gluten (for white bread) or 1/4 cup (wheat bread) this makes all the difference in taste, texture, and it holds the moisture better and keeps better. I never want to go without it again!

Pepper cheese / cheesy bread
1/4 cup of fresh jalapeno or banana peppers, and 1/4 c. cheese cubes (about 1/2 inch cubes) I usually work them into the dough just before I put the dough into the bread pan for its final rise, it usually will take a little longer to rise.
*Warning: if cutting fresh peppers WEAR RUBBER OR LATEX GLOVES OR PUT PLASTIC BAGS ON YOUR HANDS. your hands may burn for hours after!

Or just use 1/2 c. cheese chunks

Cranberry brown sugar twist
Mush about a 1/2 cup of cranberries (frozen or fresh). It tastes great if there are big chunks or if it is smoother.
Before dough is put into bread pan for it's final rise roll out dough into a rectangle with the width the six of your bead pan. put just a thin layer of softened butter over the top of the dough. Sprinkle a little (or a lot if your are in for more of a dessert) brown sugar on top. Spoon cranberry mixture on top. it doesn't have to be smooth. Roll up the dough like you would a cinnamon roll and be sure to seal ends and side. Let rise as usual, and bake as normal.
slice and eat warm plain, with butter, or my favorite with cinnamon frosting drizzled over it.

Tomato herb
add about 1/2 cup crushed tomatoes from a can and about a tablespoon Italian herbs to wet mixture while making the dough, and subtract about 1/4 c. of water or whatever liquid you are using. rise and bake as usual

Craisin bread or blueberry bread
Add about a 1/2 cup of Craisins or dried blueberries before final rise. Dough may not rise quite as much.

Herb and cheese
Add about 1 tbs of your favorite herbs to dough at the beginning and sprinkle some mozzarella on top before you bake.
Or... add cheese to the dough, work in about a 1/2 cup shredded or cubed cheese before the final rise.
Or... roll out dough like cinnamon rolls and sprinkle cheese on dough and roll it up. Just be sure to seal the ends and try to roll up the dough without any air pockets.