Bake a wonderfully soft and wholesome whole wheat bread loaf at home. This recipe uses honey for natural sweetness, resulting in tender slices perfect for your daily sandwiches and toast.
Author:Ahazzam
Prep Time:20 min
Cook Time:35 min
Total Time:2 hours 5 minutes
Yield:1 loaf (about 12 slices)
Category:Baking
Method:Kneading and 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, plus more for dusting
1/2 cup all-purpose flour (or more whole wheat flour for denser bread)
Instructions
In a large bowl, combine the warm water and yeast. Let it sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
Stir the honey, melted butter, and salt into the yeast mixture.
Gradually add the whole wheat flour and all-purpose flour, mixing until a shaggy dough forms.
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for 8 to 10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. You are looking for a soft, manageable dough.
Lightly grease a large bowl. Place the dough in the bowl, turning to coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a damp towel.
Let the dough rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until doubled in size. This is your first rise.
Gently punch down the dough. Shape it into a loaf and place it into a greased 9×5 inch loaf pan.
Cover the pan loosely and let the dough rise again in a warm place for 30 to 45 minutes, or until the dough has crowned about 1 inch above the rim of the pan. This is your second rise.
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) during the last 15 minutes of the second rise.
Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 200°F (93°C).
Remove the loaf from the pan immediately and let it cool completely on a wire rack before slicing. Cooling ensures the best texture for your sandwich loaf.
Notes
For a richer flavor, substitute half of the whole wheat flour with bread flour.
If you prefer a crustier exterior, brush the top of the loaf with a little water just before baking.
This bread freezes well once fully cooled. Slice it first for easy toast portions later.