Old Fashioned Clove Bread - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 tablespoons dry yeast
2 cups lukewarm water
2 teaspoons salt
1/3 cup maple syrup
4 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 teaspoons ground cloves
2 teaspoons ground ginger
4 1/2 - 5 cups whole wheat flour (can use half unbleached white flour)
milk, for brushing top
poppy seed, for sprinkling on top

Preparation

Dissolve the yeast in the warm milk.
Mix in remaining ingredients (except milk for brushing the top and poppy seeds). Add enough flour to make a stiff dough.
Knead on lightly floured surface and let rise in a warm place for about 15 minutes.
Divide dough into two parts and shape into 20-inch lengths.
Twist the long rolls together and let rise about 20 minutes.
Brush the tops with milk and sprinkle with poppy seeds.
Bake on a greased baking sheet at 375 degrees for about 45 minutes.