Print

Easy Homemade Whole Wheat Bread: Soft and Hearty

A loaf of freshly baked whole wheat bread, cut to show the soft crumb, resting on a wire cooling rack.
Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

You can bake a soft, hearty loaf of whole wheat bread at home using simple ingredients. This recipe is perfect for beginners and yields delicious bread for sandwiches or toast.

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, plus more for dusting
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, combine the warm water and yeast. Let it sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
  2. Stir in the honey, melted butter, and salt into the yeast mixture.
  3. Gradually add the whole wheat flour, mixing until a shaggy dough forms.
  4. Add the all-purpose flour, mixing until the dough comes together.
  5. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for 6 to 8 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
  6. Lightly grease a large bowl with oil. Place the dough in the bowl, turning to coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel.
  7. Let the dough rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until doubled in size. This long rise time develops amazing flavor.
  8. Gently punch down the dough. Shape it into a loaf and place it in a greased 9×5 inch loaf pan.
  9. Cover the pan loosely and let the dough rise again in a warm spot for 30 to 45 minutes, or until it has nearly doubled.
  10. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) about 20 minutes before the second rise is complete.
  11. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 200°F (93°C).
  12. Remove the bread from the pan immediately and let it cool completely on a wire rack before slicing.

Notes

  • For a softer crust, brush the top of the loaf with a little melted butter immediately after removing it from the oven.
  • If you want a slightly sweeter loaf, increase the honey to 1/3 cup.
  • This bread is excellent for making homemade sandwiches.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://flavorvista.com/easy-homemade-whole-wheat-bread/