Make a soft, sliceable loaf of dark brown honey wheat bread at home that matches the flavor and texture of commercial bakery bread.
Author:Ahazzam
Prep Time:20 min
Cook Time:35 min
Total Time:2 hours 50 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
1/4 cup dark molasses
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 cup whole wheat flour
2 1/2 cups bread 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, molasses, melted butter, and salt into the yeast mixture.
Add the whole wheat flour and mix until just combined.
Gradually add the bread 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.
Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turning once 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 log and place it seam-side down 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) during the last 15 minutes of the second rise.
Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the top is deep brown and the internal temperature reaches 200°F (93°C).
Remove the bread from the pan immediately and let it cool completely on a wire rack before slicing.
Notes
Use dark molasses for the deepest color and richest flavor.
For a slightly softer crust, brush the top of the loaf with a little melted butter immediately after removing it from the oven.
If the dough feels too sticky during kneading, add bread flour one tablespoon at a time.