Preparation

1. Place warm water, maple syrup, and yeast in the bowl of the Cuisinart Hand Stand Mixer. Stir and let stand for 5 minutes. Mixture will bubble and foam – this means the yeast is alive and active.
2. Place both flours in a separate bowl and stir to blend; reserve.
3. Insert the flat beaters. Add the oil and salt and 1 cup of the flour mixture to the yeast mixture. Using speed 1, mix until smooth, about 30 seconds.
4. Add the walnuts and cranberries and ½ cup of the remaining flour mixture, mix for 30 to 40 seconds – until the flour is no longer visible. Continue adding the remaining flour mixture, ½ cup at a time, mixing completely – about 30 to 40 seconds – after each addition.
5. The dough at first will be a batter, and slowly, as the flour is added, will be come a dough that will clean the sides of the bowl. After the dough has formed a ball switch to the dough hooks. Knead on speed 3 for an additional 2 to 3 minutes.
6. Lightly dust the dough ball with flour and place in a resealable food storage bag. Squeeze out the air and seal. Allow the dough to rise in a warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 1 to 1½ hours.
7. After dough has doubled in size, punch down to deflate and let rest for 5 minutes.
8. Shape into a ball, pinching the ends together on the underside. With the dough ball cupped in your hands, roll, seamed edged down, on the counter until the underside is smooth. Flatten the ball into a 9-inch round and place on a baking sheet dusted with flour and cornmeal. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise until nearly doubled – about 60 to 70 minutes.
9. Ten minutes before baking, preheat the oven to 425°F.
10. Dust the top of the loaf with flour. Using a serrated knife cut a cross in the top of the loaf, cutting about ¼-inch into the loaf. Place the bread in the hot oven and bake for 15 minutes.
11. Lower the heat to 375°F and bake for an additional 20 minutes – until the bread is a rich brown and sounds hollow when tapped.
12. Turn the oven off, slide the bread directly onto the oven rack and let stand in the closed, hot oven for 5 minutes to crisp the bottom of the loaf.
13. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. Bread slices best when allowed to cool completely before cutting.