Whole Wheat Bread

Today I spent the morning making some whole wheat bread dough. It was really simple and the bread is super moist and delicious, as well as being healthy.

Here is the recipe:

Whole Wheat Bread

1 1/2 cups warm water (105-110 degrees)

2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast (this is normally 1 packet)

1/4 cup sweetener, Honey or Sugar (I used local wildflower honey)

Combine these ingredients in the bowl of a stand mixer. Give them a quick stir and then allow to sit for 5 mins.

Until the yeast becomes active (foamy)

Next add:

1 1/2 teaspoons salt 

2 tablespoons oil (Sunflower, Butter, Olive oil, or Canola) I used olive oil

2 cups flower (unbleached all purpose, wheat, rye, or anything else) 

I used unbleached organic whole wheat

Start mixer with bread hook attachment on

Next:

Continue to mix adding 1/4 cup of flour at a time, slowly until dough begins to pull away from the bowl.

Continue adding flour, this time 1 tablespoon at a time until dough is pulled away from bowl completely.

Let your mixer run for 8-10 minutes to knead and incorporate ingredients in the dough.

Add a tablespoon of flour at a time if needed. 

(Remember: you can always add flour, but you cannot take it away!)

The dough should now be soft and slightly sticky

Transfer dough ball to oiled bowl and cover with a damp towel.

Let rise in a warm area for 1-1 1/2 hours

Once the first rise is complete, knead bread on floured surface a couple of times.

Shape into round loaf (or log for bread pan)

Place on oiled baking sheet (for round loaf) 

or oiled bread pan (for bread loaf shape)

Cover again and set aside for 1 hour.

With 30 mins left of your second rise, preheat your oven to 425 degrees

Fill a shallow baking pan (I used a pie pan) with a cup or so of water and place on the bottom rack of the oven (this will create steam)

Once the bread has risen the second time, brush with olive oil and place in the oven

Let bake for 10 mins at 425 degrees.

After 10 mins, reduce oven temp to 375 degrees, and continue to bake for approx. 30 mins.

Bread should have a golden crust and sound hollow when tapped.

Remove from pan and let cool before slicing it.

I must say, this bread is delicious!