A simple recipe for baking a soft, fluffy loaf of whole wheat bread perfect for daily sandwiches and toast.
Author:Kenji Sato
Prep Time:20 min
Cook Time:35 min
Total Time:1 hour 55 min
Yield:1 loaf
Category:Baking
Method:Baking
Cuisine:American
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
1 cup warm water (105-115°F)
2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
1/4 cup honey
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
3 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup all-purpose flour (plus more for dusting)
Instructions
Combine the warm water and yeast in a large bowl. Let stand for 5 minutes until foamy.
Stir in the honey, melted butter, and salt into the yeast mixture.
Add the whole wheat flour and mix until just combined.
Gradually add the all-purpose flour, mixing until a shaggy dough forms.
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for 6 to 8 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turning to coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
Gently punch down the risen dough. Shape it into a loaf and place it in a greased 9×5 inch loaf pan.
Cover the pan loosely and let the dough rise again for 30 to 45 minutes, or until it crests about 1 inch over the rim of the pan.
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 200°F (93°C).
Remove the bread from the pan immediately and cool completely on a wire rack before slicing.
Notes
For a softer crust, brush the top of the loaf with a little melted butter immediately after removing it from the oven.
If your dough feels too sticky during kneading, add the remaining all-purpose flour one tablespoon at a time.
Using a kitchen thermometer to check the water temperature for the yeast is key for a good rise.