I love Dave's Killer Bread for its good ingredients and how perfect it is for sandwiches, so I decided to see if I could make a copycat of Dave's Killer Bread recipe from scratch. It is surprisingly easy and tastes better than store-bought bread!
With my recipe, you can make two loaves of this multigrain seed bread for about half the price of store-bought bread, and if you're a bread machine user, don't worry- I've just updated the recipe to include a single loaf which is the right size for a standard bread machine.
You can also use this as a whole-grain dinner roll recipe, which is perfect for a healthy side dish for soup night! Keep reading to see what easy artisan baking techniques I use to get the softest whole-wheat bread you've ever tasted.
If you haven't heard of Dave's Killer Bread, then let me tell you why it's so great.
Dave's bread is a nutrition powerhouse. It's full of whole grains, protein, and fiber, while still tasting delicious! The 21 Seed Bread has a chewy texture and great flavor.
Dave's story
The story behind Dave's is interesting. He spent time in prison, got out and went to work for his family's bakery business, and developed a recipe for whole grain, organic, and non-GMO bread. He started selling his bread at a farmer's market and it was so popular that he eventually sold his company for millions! ( 275 million to be exact)
Why the copycat recipe?
You can buy the original product if you choose, but it's not available everywhere, and online the purchase price can be as high as $10 per loaf. If you're interested in making high-quality, nutritious bread at home, this recipe is for you!
To read more about the health benefits of Dave's Bread, check out this article. Recently my local grocery store was sold out of the organic whole grain seed bread that I like so I went to my kitchen and got to work developing a copycat recipe for Daves Killer Bread 21 Seed Bread.
Overview of my copycat Dave's Killer Bread Recipe
This isn't a hard recipe, but it does have many steps. Check out the overview of what this recipe involves so you can plan your baking day accordingly.
What to do the day before you want bread
The day before you need to soak the wheat flour for about 12 hours. I usually do this in the evening and leave it soaking overnight.
You'll also need to cook the wheat berries. They cook like rice and take about 30 minutes. I like to do this the night before so they are cooled when it's time to mix the dough.
What to do on the day you are ready to bake bread
The entire process takes about 3 hours, although your time may vary slightly depending on the temperature of your kitchen. I usually start in the morning and have fresh bread ready in the early afternoon. Here is how the time breaks down:
- Measure the ingredients- 20 minutes
- Mix - 20 minutes
- Proof- 30-45 minutes
- Shape- 15 minutes
- Proof -45 to 60 minutes
- Bake- 30-40 minutes
Supplies you'll need to make your own Dave's Killer bread:
You will need to buy a few supplies to get started. Don't be put off by the initial investment. While it's true that it is a little pricy to get all the ingredients, they will last a long time. So if you plan on making this bread regularly, then the real savings come over time.
A great bread like this requires ingredients that are of the highest quality
Click on the links to see the products that create the most authentic version of Dave's Killer Bread.
100% Whole White Wheat Flour- I like this Wheat Montana brand. Look for organic, non-GMO winter wheat. If you use stone-ground wheat it will not have the same texture as Dave's Killer Bread does. You need whole white wheat for this recipe.
Gerbs Raw Super 5 Seed Mix- This is a good price for a seed blend. When I was testing the recipe I bought each seed variety separately. That can get very expensive. While this variety doesn't have sesame seeds, it's a good alternative.
5 Grain Rolled Cereal- These look like rolled oats, but the blend has a good variety of grains. It is more cost-effective to buy the blend rather than each type individually.
Wheat Berries- Any brand of wheat berries will work. Look for organic, non-GMO wheat berries.
Vital Wheat Gluten Powder- Bob's Red Mill has the best price that I have been able to find.
Vitamin C 500 mg capsule- Any variety will work here. Just be sure to crush it before adding it to the dough.
Bread Pans- This batch makes two loaves and they fit perfectly into 9x5 loaf pans.
Stand Mixer- I use the Kitchen Aid Professional series fitted with the dough hook attachment
Bread Machine- If you prefer a bread machine, the Breville has customizable loaf size options.
Making a genuine copycat recipe for Daves Killer Bread requires some advanced techniques
To get the most authentic taste and texture from this loaf I've incorporated several artisan bread baker techniques. I'll explain each one and what it does for the bread dough.
Soaking the wheat flour with vinegar for 12 hours- Soaking the flour for at least 12 hours in an acidic medium activates phytase, which is a chemical present in wheat. The phytase releases vitamins present in whole wheat flour and makes them more accessible. It also helps make the wheat more digestible.
Improving the gluten strength with Vitamin C- Vitamin C is also known as ascorbic acid. It works as a natural dough conditioner to strengthen the gluten. This creates more volume in the loaf, and a fine and even crumb.
The addition of Vital Wheat gluten- Since this dough has so many nuts and seeds they can weaken the gluten strands. The vital wheat gluten helps to strengthen the gluten even more.
Let's bake this copycat Dave's Killer Bread recipe!
Ingredients
- 5 ½ cups White wheat flour 25 oz
- 2 cups Water 16 oz
- 2 ½ tablespoon Apple cider vinegar 0.70 oz
- 2 pkt Active dry yeast 4 ½ tsp
- ½ cup Water 4 oz
- 3 tablespoon Agave 2 oz
- ½ cup Cooked wheat berries 3 oz
- ⅓ cup Grain blend 2 oz ( save 2 tablespoon for topping)
- ¾ cup Seed blend 5 oz ( save ¼ cup for topping)
- 3 tablespoon Vegetable Oil 1.5 oz
- 2 ½ teaspoon Salt 0.5 oz
- 5 teaspoon Vital wheat gluten 0.5 oz
- 1 capsule Vitamin C Crushed (about 4 g)
Instructions
- The day before- soak 25 oz wheat flour, in 2 cups warm water and 2 ½ tablespoon apple cider vinegar. (Add more water if necessary to absorb all the dry flour.) Mix it thoroughly, using your hands to combine all the ingredients well. Cover and leave at room temperature for at least 12 hours.
- Precook ¼ cup wheat berries by placing them in a small saucepan with the 2 cups of cooking water. Bring to boil, then turn down heat and simmer on low for 30 minutes. Drain wheat berries and allow to cool.
- Mix the agave into the ½ cup water. Add the yeast and stir. Let it sit for 5 minutes to activate.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer place the soaked wheat dough, yeast mixture, vegetable oil, salt, vital wheat gluten, and a crushed vitamin C capsule.
- Mix on low speed for 3-5 minutes. Increase to medium speed and mix for 4 minutes. The dough should be smooth and well developed.
- Now add the cooked wheat berries, seed blend, and rolled grain blend. Mix on low speed for 4 minutes. ( Don't forget to reserve some grains and seeds for topping the bread)
- Place the dough in a lightly oiled container with a lid, or cover it with plastic wrap. Let rest until the dough has doubled. (This may take from 45 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the temperature of your kitchen)
- Turn the dough out onto a floured surface. Divide the dough into two equal-sized portions.
- Gently shape each dough portion into a rectangle and roll it up in a tight log. Pinch the seams together creating a loaf shape. Repeat for the other dough piece.
- To top each loaf with grain blend and seeds: To do this place the reserved seed blend onto a large plate. Dampen a clean kitchen towel. Pick up each loaf by the seam and roll it back and forth on the towel getting as much surface area damp as possible. Now put the loaf into the plate of seeds and roll back and forth to get the seeds to stick. Repeat with the other loaf.
- Place the seeded loaves into well-oiled pans.
- Preheat oven to 350 °
- Let the loaves proof for about 30-60 minutes. The actual time will depend on room temperature. When the loaf has crested above the loaf pan it's ready to bake.
- Bake for 40 minutes in the pan. If you have a baking stone, remove the bread from the pan and place it on the stone for the last 10 minutes.
- Allow to cool for about 10 minutes, then remove the loaf from the pan and place on a cooling rack to cool entirely.
- To freeze- allow to fully cool, then slice loaf, wrap in plastic wrap, and cover completely in foil. Freeze for up to 1 month in a regular freezer or 6 months in a deep freezer
Dave's Killer Bread makes great dinner rolls too!
If you're in the mood for something healthy to serve with soup or salad, just shape these into balls, and roll in the seed topping. I like to bake them on a pie plate, but you can also place them in an oiled muffin pan or on a cookie sheet.
Dave's Killer Seed Bread for Bread Machine
Here are the step-by-step instructions for making Daves Killer Seed Bread in a Bread Machine. You won't be able to top the loaf with the seed and grain blend, so all the good stuff gets added to the loaf instead.
- Follow the directions for the original recipe using the smaller batch ingredient amounts listed below.
- The day before baking, soak the wheat flour with vinegar and water. See the full recipe above for more details.
- Pre-cook the wheat berries and allow them to cool before beginning.
- Put all ingredients into the pan of the bread maker. Set the bread maker to a basic white bread setting or for whole wheat bread setting if your machine has that option.
- Remove the bread from the machine when it is done and allow it to cool.
Small Batch-Dave's Killer Seed Bread
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups White wheat flour 12.5 oz
- 1 cup Water Add more if needed so that all the flour the is absorbed
- 2 ¼ teaspoon Apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup Cooked wheat berries Boil ⅛ cup wheat berries in 1 cups water for 30 minutes. Drain and chill.
- ¼ cup Water
- 1 packet Active dry yeast
- 4 teaspoon Agave
- 4 ½ teaspoon Canola oil
- ⅓ cup Seed blend
- 2 ½ tablespoon Rolled grain blend
- 1 ¼ teaspoon Salt
- 2 ½ teaspoon Vital wheat gluten
- 1 capsule Vitamin C- 500 mg crushed
Instructions
- To make this single loaf batch in a stand mixer, follow the directions for the original recipe using the smaller batch ingredient amounts.
- INSTRUCTIONS FOR BREAD MAKER: Follow the day before directions by soaking the wheat flour with vinegar and water, and pre-cooking the wheat berries. Put all ingredients from the recipe into the pan of the bread maker. Program for basic white bread setting or for whole wheat bread if your machine has that setting.
- Remove the bread from the machine when it is done and allow it to cool before slicing.
Enjoy this Dave's Killer Bread Copycat Recipe
Whether you make this as a double loaf batch, dinner rolls, a single loaf, or in your bread maker, you will love how soft this whole wheat bread is and the wonderful nutritious ingredients that will make you feel good about eating bread!
Please let me know in the comments how you like this recipe and your favorite way to eat this multigrain bread.
Dave's Killer Bread Recipe Video
Watch the video to see how easy it is to make Dave's Killer Seed Bread at home.
Better Baker says
You can use any combination of seeds and nuts you like. Just make sure the total weight equals 5 ounces
Better Baker says
Sorry, this may not be the best recipe for you.
Better Baker says
Yes, however I do not have a conversion for the fresh yeast amount.
Better Baker says
I'm sorry. I don't have any experience baking bread at high altitude.
Jennifer says
Hi! I used costco organic white flour with high protein..i let sit on counter with 2T vinegar and 2c water for 5 hours...only use sprouted oatmeal for the added grain but added 1/3c chopt walnuts. Made my own seed blend. Used poppy, sesame, pepitas,flax. . These are my only changes, didn't need the wheat gluten because that flour is amazing...this was delightful! Made on wheat setting in my zojurushi bread machine...thank you!!
Jennifer says
@Jennifer, it's me...I 4got! I didn't have wheat berries so I soaked Farro! Yum
Better Baker says
Sounds like a delicious loaf of bread!
Better Baker says
That's a great idea. Thanks for sharing!
Grace says
Would it be possible to make this bread using hand kneading rather than a bread machine or standard mixer?
Better Baker says
Yes! It's completely fine to hand knead this dough. Since the flour has been soaked, it doesn't require as much kneading. Just work the dough until you get a smooth and elastic surface and avoiding adding too much extra flour. Good Luck!
Better Baker says
I haven't tried that but it should work. The texture may be a little different though. Let me know how it turns out!
Better Baker says
Hi Tim, I've updated the recipe to include bread maching instructions. You caqn find them at the bottom of the post. Happy Baking!
david says
I have a proofing oven. What temperature do you recommend proofing this bread at?
david says
@david, To clarify, I can set a specific temperature, so I am not looking for a range, but a specific temp setting for the proofing oven.
Better Baker says
I have not used a proofing oven for this recipe, but in the past, I have set my proofer to 75 or 80 degrees.
Todd says
Step one took me 2.5 cups of water. Will this impact the recipe?
Better Baker says
Wheat flour can vary, so as long as its not too sticky you should be good!
Dorothy says
I have a bread machine that makes a 2 pound loaf. Do I still need to follow the small batch to make this in my machine?
Better Baker says
I'd start with the smaller batch and see how it does. If you feel like there's extra room then go for the larger batch.
Tammy says
Looks great- what do you mean by grain blend?
Dottie says
@Jennifer, did you just place the "blob" of vinegar/water wheat in the bottom of your machine then add the rest of the ingredients in the order listed? I have the same bread machine, hen e the question 🙂
Dottie says
@Dorothy, did you make the full recipe or small batch? I ask b/c I also have a 2 pound machine 🙂
Better Baker says
Hi Tammy, the grain blend refers to the 5 grain rolled cereal. These look like rolled oats, but the blend has a good variety of grains. It is more cost-effective to buy the blend rather than each type individually.https://amzn.to/3HxOK9c
Jenn Banks says
Thank you for sharing this recipe - looking forward to trying it! Couple questions:
1. Can I use regular whole wheat (not white), and would you recommend any adjustments?
2. Please clarify the amount of vitamin C - 500 mg is 1/2 gram so 4g would be like 8 500mg tablets. Just want to be sure I'm using the right amount.
Thank you!
Better Baker says
Hi Jenn, you can substitute regular whole wheat flour 1:1, although the bread may taste a little more grainy. As for the vitamin C, go by the weight of the vitamin c, not the mg of the vitamin. 4grams is about 1/4 tsp. Good luck!
Sandy Hill says
Can I substitute ascorbic acid piwder for the vitamin C ? Same amount?
Better Baker says
Yes, you can substitute ascorbic acid in the same amount. Happy Baking!
loretta says
Hello, so excited to find this recipe, and see the encouraging comments. Is there an acceptable substitute for the Vitamin C? If not, perhaps an adjustment for gluten?
Many thanks!
Better Baker says
Hello! I'm so glad you found the recipe and are excited to try it! 😊 If you’re asking about substituting the Vitamin C, you can use a small amount of lemon juice or vinegar instead. As for the vital wheat gluten, you can omit it and still achieve great results with the recipe.
Kathy says
What is vital wheat gluten?
Jenn Banks says
@Better Baker,
I forgot to check back for your response, so am just seeing this - thank you! I've actually been making a (greatly tweaked) version of this almost weekly since February, and have only had to resort to commercial bread a couple times when I got busy or forgot until it was too late in the day.
I sub whole wheat for white whole wheat, 5-grain cereal only, no nuts/seeds or wheat berries (haven't got around to buying them), and I sub ~1-1/2 C sourdough discard for an equivalent amount of white flour and water. Sometimes I increase honey or swap in molasses for a flavor boost. Process wise, I boil the water and combine it with cereal, Vitamin C tab and salt in the bowl of my stand mixer. Then I dump everything else on top, starting with (honey, butter and starter, ending with yeast), and let cool until the bottom of the bowl is warm, not hot. Mix and knead on the stand mixer, proof, shape, rise, bake. Easy peasy, and end-to-end it takes maybe 3-1/2 hours.
Thank you again SO MUCH for sharing the recipe - I'm sure a lot of time and effort went into developing it, and I appreciate you making it freely available. In our area Dave's is about $7 a loaf, and we go through easily a loaf a week, so you're saving me a bundle! Which I will probably end up spending on new pants because this bread is so good haha.
❤️
Marchelle says
Your recipe calls for 5 1/2 cups of flour 25oz. I’m confused because 25 oz flour is not the same as 5 1/2 cups. So which is it?
Julia says
The recipe says 1/2 cup cooked wheat berries but the directions say to cook 1/4 cup wheat berries. So which one is correct?
Mike B says
NOTE: The weight of the vinegar .70 oz and the measurement of 2 1/2 tsp do not add up. The weight measurment of .70 = 4.2 tsp. I used the the 2 1/2 tsp. Came out quite good. Going to try it again.
Mike Bodi says
Just made this for the second time and I have a question. This message is VERY precise with one exception... the second rise. It says when the dough rises to the top of the pan it's ready to bake but what size pans are you using? Mine are I think for a 1 lb loaf (seem small). I think the bread could perhaps rise more and a bigger pan would change the size of the loaf and perhaps make the crumb a little less dense. I let mine rise this time until the dough was ready to go over the sides but still a little dense. Thanks
Better Baker says
I use a 9x5-inch pan, so a smaller pan might make the loaf denser. Letting it proof a bit longer could help. Hope that helps!
Better Baker says
Vital wheat gluten is a protein that helps improve bread’s structure and rise, especially in whole wheat doughs. I’ve linked my favorite easily available option in the post.
Better Baker says
So glad you found the recipe! 😊 The Vitamin C helps strengthen the gluten and improve the rise, but you can skip it if needed. No adjustments are necessary—your bread will still turn out great! Happy baking!
Better Baker says
Thanks! By "grain blend," I mean 5 Grain Rolled Cereal, which I’ve linked in the post for easy reference. Hope that helps!
Better Baker says
No worries! A little extra water is fine. The exact amount can vary depending on the flour type and humidity. As long as the dough feels hydrated but not overly sticky, it should work well in the recipe. Just proceed as usual!
Tom says
My bread machine has a whole wheat setting that starts with 30 minutes of preheat (without any movement/kneading), to let the ingredients soak together. Does that change anything about the procedure (for instance, in the waiting of the yeast preparation)? I saw another comment that recommended pre-blending the wheat, agave/yeast/water, and oil to loosen it for the machine. Does that preheat time change any of that?