Bake a soft, fluffy loaf of 100% whole wheat bread sweetened lightly with honey, perfect for daily sandwiches and toast.
Author:Amelia Carmichael
Prep Time:20 min
Cook Time:35 min
Total Time:2 hours 5 minutes
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
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
3 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup all-purpose flour (or more whole wheat flour for denser bread)
Instructions
In a large bowl, mix the warm water, yeast, and honey. Let stand for 5 minutes until foamy.
Stir in the melted butter and salt into the yeast mixture.
Add the whole wheat flour and all-purpose flour gradually, mixing until a shaggy dough forms.
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for 6 to 8 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. It will feel softer than white bread dough.
Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turning once to coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean towel 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 loaf and place it 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 has risen about 1 inch above the rim of the pan.
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the top is golden 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
For a softer crumb, use bread flour instead of all-purpose flour for the second cup of flour.
If your kitchen is cold, place the bowl in an oven that is turned off with the light on to create a warm rising spot.
To check if the bread is done, tap the bottom; it should sound hollow.