Bake a wonderfully soft and hearty loaf of 100% whole wheat bread at home. This easy recipe gives you bakery-quality results perfect for sandwiches or toast.
Author:Ahazzam
Prep Time:20 min
Cook Time:35 min
Total Time:2 hours 5 minutes
Yield:1 loaf
Category:Baking
Method:Kneading and Baking
Cuisine:American
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
1 cup warm water (105-115°F)
2 teaspoons active dry yeast
3 tablespoons honey
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
3 cups whole wheat flour, plus more for dusting
Instructions
In a large bowl, mix the warm water, yeast, and honey. Let this sit for 5 to 10 minutes until it becomes foamy. This shows your yeast is active.
Stir in the vegetable oil and salt into the yeast mixture.
Gradually add the whole wheat flour, one cup at a time, mixing until a shaggy dough forms.
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for about 8 to 10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. It will feel slightly sticky, which is normal for whole wheat.
Lightly grease a large bowl with oil. Place the dough in the bowl, turning it once to coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel.
Let the dough rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until it has doubled in size. This long rise develops great flavor.
Gently punch down the risen dough. Shape it into a uniform 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 spot for 30 to 45 minutes, or until it has crested about 1 inch over the rim of the pan.
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) about 15 minutes before the second rise is complete.
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. Enjoy your fresh, homemade whole wheat bread!
Notes
If your kitchen is cool, place the dough in your oven with just the light on to create a warm environment for rising.
For a slightly sweeter loaf, increase the honey to 1/4 cup.
This bread freezes well once completely cooled. Slice it first, then store in an airtight freezer bag.