Make a soft, fluffy whole wheat loaf at home perfect for sandwiches and toast using simple ingredients and an easy mixing method.
Author:Eva Navarro
Prep Time:20 min
Cook Time:35 min
Total Time:2 hours 30 min
Yield:1 loaf
Category:Baking
Method:Kneading and Baking
Cuisine:American
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
1 1/2 cups 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 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup all-purpose flour (plus more for dusting)
Instructions
In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast and honey in the warm water. 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 to the wet ingredients. Mix with a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms.
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for 5 to 7 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. It will be slightly stickier than white bread dough.
Lightly grease a large bowl. Place the dough in the bowl, turning to coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean towel. Let the dough 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 in a warm place for 30 to 45 minutes, or until the dough has crowned about 1 inch over 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 cool completely on a wire rack before slicing.
Notes
For a softer crust, brush the top of the loaf with melted butter immediately after removing it from the oven.
If your kitchen is cold, place the dough bowl inside a turned-off oven with a pan of hot water on the bottom rack to create a warm environment for rising.
You can substitute half of the whole wheat flour with all-purpose flour for a slightly lighter texture.