Basic Whole Wheat Bread Recipe

Here is a basic whole wheat bread recipe that is pretty easy, even if you are a beginner.

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I've also included a handy set of bread making tips to help you get the right results every time.

~ Whole Wheat Bread Recipe ~

This is a basic recipe for whole wheat bread. You can adapt it as you'd like to suit your own individual taste.

Prefer to use your bread machine? Click here to get a recipe for bread machines.

Step 1: Combine in a 2 cup measuring cup or small bowl:

• 1 cup warm water (110 degrees F.)
• 2 tbsp (2 packages) dry yeast
• 1 tbsp honey

Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine:

• 3 cups hot water
• 1/3 cup honey

Mix well.

Step 3: Add one cup at a time

• 4 cups (finely ground) whole wheat flour

Beat after each addition. If you plan to replace part of the wheat flour with other whole grain flours or with 1/2 cup soy flour, mix it in at the end of this step.

Step 4: Add yeast mixture and beat well.

Step 5: Put in a warm (80 - 85 degrees Fahrenheit) place to rise - or in your oven with only the pilot light on, or in a cold oven with a pan of steaming water beneath. Let this soft sponge stand for 10 - 15 minutes. It will double and get bubbly.

Step 6: Remove bowl from warm place and add:

• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 2 tsp salt

Mix well.

Step 7: Add:

• 5 - 5 1/2 cups whole wheat flour

Add the flour one cup at a time, beating after each addition. Add only enough whole wheat flour to make a medium dough. The exact amount of flour will vary depending on the amount of moisture in each bag of flour.

Step 8: Turn out on floured board and knead for 10 minutes. (To knead, turn dough out on a lightly floured surface. Curve your fingers over the dough and push down with the heel of your hand. Give the dough a quarter turn, fold over, and push down again. It's very important to knead the dough properly before the first rising period). Place in an oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let rise in a warm place until double in bulk (about 2 hours).

Step 9: Shape the dough into 3 loaves and bake in three pans. Shape into 24 buns. Place in 3 well-oiled 7 1/2 x 3 1/2" pans. Return to warm place to rise until double in bulk (about 1/2 - 3/4 hour). Cover with a damp cloth unless placed in oven with hot water.

Step 10: When loaves have almost doubled, remove from oven, if that is where you have placed it to rise. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. When oven is hot, return the bread and bake it for approximately 45 - 55 minutes until golden brown and well done.

Step 11: Remove bread from oven. Brush tops of loaves with vegetable oil (optional). Allow loaves to stand in pan about 5 minutes, then remove and cool on a cooling rack.

Variation: Follow this whole wheat bread recipe as is. Then instead of shaping your dough into loaves, shape it into small buns.

Note: After breathing in that very lovely smell of baking bread, I know it's very hard to resist eating your bread right away. But, it's a very good idea to let your bread sit for at least one day before you eat it.

When you eat bread the same day you bake it, the yeast may still be active. And, it is much harder on your digestive system.

Related Pages

How To Make Bread

Bread Making Tips

Whole Wheat Bread Recipe For Bread Machines

Healthy Recipes