This homemade whole wheat bread is nutritious and flavorful, perfect for sandwiches or toast. Made entirely with whole wheat flour, it provides a hearty texture and rich taste.
The recipe is simple and requires basic baking techniques. You can enjoy fresh bread in just a few hours with minimal ingredients.
Creating the Perfect Whole Wheat Bread
Baking whole wheat bread at home is a rewarding experience that fills your kitchen with delightful aromas.
The process begins with selecting quality ingredients, primarily whole wheat flour, which forms the foundation of this wholesome loaf.
The combination of flour, yeast, and water yields a hearty texture that is both satisfying and nutritious.
Understanding the Ingredients
Whole wheat flour is rich in fiber and nutrients, making it a healthier choice compared to refined flour.
Alongside flour, yeast plays a vital role in the bread-making process, helping the dough rise and develop its structure.
A touch of honey or sugar adds a hint of sweetness, while olive oil or melted butter contributes to the bread’s softness and flavor.
The Baking Process
The journey to a freshly baked loaf starts with activating the yeast.
Mix warm water with honey and yeast, allowing it to froth, which indicates that the yeast is alive and ready to work its magic.
Next, combine the dry ingredients, ensuring an even distribution of salt and flour before introducing the yeast mixture.
Kneading and Rising
Kneading the dough is a crucial step that develops gluten, giving the bread its chewy texture.
After kneading, the dough needs to rise in a warm environment, doubling in size.
This first rise is essential for creating a light and airy loaf.
Shaping and Second Rise
Once the dough has risen, it’s time to shape it into a loaf.
This involves punching down the dough and placing it into a greased loaf pan for the second rise.
This step allows the bread to expand further, ensuring a fluffy interior once baked.
Baking to Perfection
Preheating the oven is the final step before baking.
The bread should bake until it achieves a golden brown crust and sounds hollow when tapped.
After baking, letting the bread cool before slicing is important to maintain its structure and flavor.
Easy Whole Wheat Bread Recipe
This whole wheat bread features a blend of whole wheat flour, yeast, and water, resulting in a wholesome loaf that is both satisfying and healthy. The recipe takes about 3 hours from start to finish and yields one loaf.
Ingredients
- 3 cups whole wheat flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 2 tablespoons honey or sugar
- 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 1/4 cups warm water (about 110°F)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or melted butter
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: In a small bowl, combine warm water, honey (or sugar), and yeast. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until frothy.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine whole wheat flour and salt.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the yeast mixture and olive oil (or melted butter) to the dry ingredients. Mix until a dough forms.
- Knead the Dough: Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- First Rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Shape the Loaf: Punch down the risen dough and shape it into a loaf. Place it in a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan.
- Second Rise: Cover the loaf with a cloth and let it rise again for about 30-45 minutes until it rises above the edge of the pan.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake: Bake the bread for 30-35 minutes or until the top is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped.
- Cool: Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Cook and Prep Times
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours
- Servings: 12 slices
- Calories: 120kcal
- Fat: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Carbohydrates: 22g