Description
A simple and wholesome homemade whole wheat bread recipe that is soft, fluffy, and perfect for toast or sandwiches. Made with just six basic ingredients, this bread combines the natural nutty flavor of whole wheat flour with a touch of honey and olive oil for moisture and flavor. The dough is kneaded to develop elasticity, allowed to rise twice for the perfect texture, then baked to a golden brown crust with a hollow sound when tapped, indicating it’s perfectly cooked.
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups warm water
- 2 tablespoons honey (or maple syrup)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (or melted butter)
- 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
Dry Ingredients
- 3 cups whole wheat flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
Instructions
- Activate the Yeast: In a large bowl, add warm water and honey. Stir until the honey dissolves, then sprinkle the yeast on top. Let it sit for 5 minutes or until the mixture becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: Add olive oil to the yeast mixture and stir to combine well, ensuring a uniform base for the dough.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix whole wheat flour and kosher salt thoroughly to distribute the salt evenly in the flour.
- Form the Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring with a wooden spoon or dough whisk until a cohesive dough forms.
- Knead the Dough: Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for 8 to 10 minutes. Kneading develops gluten which gives the dough elasticity and strength.
- First Rise: Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a greased bowl. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm place for 1 to 1 ½ hours, until doubled in size.
- Punch Down and Shape: Gently punch down the risen dough to release air pockets. Transfer back to a floured surface and shape it into a loaf.
- Second Rise: Place the shaped loaf into a greased loaf pan. Cover with a kitchen towel and let it rise again for 30 to 45 minutes until it rises above the edges of the pan.
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking.
- Bake the Bread: Bake the loaf for 35 to 40 minutes until the crust turns golden brown. To confirm doneness, tap the bottom of the loaf – it should sound hollow.
- Cool the Bread: Remove the loaf from the oven and let it cool in the pan for a few minutes. Then transfer it to a wire rack and allow it to cool completely before slicing to preserve texture.
Notes
- This bread is soft, fluffy, and naturally sweetened with honey or maple syrup for subtle sweetness.
- Only six simple ingredients are required, making this a straightforward recipe for beginners.
- Perfect for making French toast, regular toast, or sandwiches.
- You can substitute olive oil with melted butter for a richer flavor.
- Ensure water is warm, not hot, to properly activate the yeast without killing it.
- Allow the bread to cool completely before slicing to avoid a gummy texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (of 10 slices)
- Calories: 162 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 4 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
