You might be thinking that this is too much work for a simple loaf of bread. But there are few things that smell better than a freshly baked loaf of bread. Imagine your self pulling a fragrant, perfectly rounded loaf of bread out of the oven; then cutting a thick slice and tasting the delicious whole wheat goodness. All the while knowing that you are improving your families’ health by adding whole grains to their diet. When you consider all this, the extra work is worth it.
Whole Wheat Bread Recipe
- 3 cups lukewarm water
- 1 ½ Tablespoons yeast
- 1/3 cup honey
- 8 – 8 ½ cups whole wheat flour
- 1 Tablespoon salt
- 1/3 cup oil
- 2 Tablespoons dough enhancer
- 3 Tablespoons wheat gluten
First grind your white or red wheat. When your wheat is ground pour the lukewarm water into your mixing bowl. Then add the yeast and honey.
Measure 7 cups of flour into the bowl and start your mixer on low.
After the flour is mixed in add the oil, salt, gluten, and dough enhancer, and ½ cup more flour. Turn your mixer up to medium speed.
Then add ¼ cup more flour and let it mix in. Slowly add flour until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl and forms a ball. It may still be sticky to the touch but that’s okay. Let it mix for 8-10 minutes.
Grease your bread pans with non-stick spray or shortening. Form the loaves, you might need to put a little shortening on your hands so the loaves don’t stick. Place the loaves in the pan and spray with non-stick spray or brush with shortening so the tops don’t crack.
Place the loaves in your oven about an inch apart and cover with plastic wrap. Letting the bread rise in your oven creates a better rising environment, similar to what bakeries use. Boil two cups of water in the microwave and put in a saucepan. Put the saucepan on the bottom rack of the oven and close the door.
Let your bread rise for 40 – 60 minutes. The warmer and more humid your environment the less rising time the bread needs. The bread is ready to be baked when it is about ¾ an inch above the top of the pan. If you let it rise too much it will fall when baking. Judge the readiness by the highest loaf of bread, they don’t always rise at the same level.
Take the pan out of the oven and remove the plastic wrap. Turn your oven to 350 degrees and cook the bread for 35 minutes. When done turn out onto a wire rack and brush the top with butter. Wait for about 5 minutes then cut and enjoy.
When completely cooled, at least half an hour put in plastic bags and store in the freezer until needed.
This recipe makes three loaves of bread. If you want only one loaf divide the amount needed for each ingredient by three.
For more information about the type of ingredients you need and a dough enhancer recipe read my blog “Homemade Wheat Bread Part 2 – The Ingredients”.
You can also read about the supplies that you will need in my blog ““Homemade Wheat Bread Part 1 – The Supplies”.