bread

dough ready to be punched down and shaped into loaves

Our Modified Directions:
1. Proof the yeast in warm water with 1/3 cup of Honey, let sit for 10+ minutes. Stir in Bread Flour, allow mixture to continue proofing for 20+ minutes, until big and bubbly.

5. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (our oven runs hotter, so we use 325). Bake loaves for approximately 25 minutes or until golden brown (again, our oven is finicky so we bake for about 17, your oven may need closer to 30 minutes).

Remember to follow guidelines of your pan manufacturer as dark metal and glass cook differently. Bread is done when it sounds hollow when tapped on top. Spread butter on top of the finished loaves and sit on wire rack to cool completely.

NOTE: We use the previously mentioned King Arthur Flour. It has excellent texture and quality. Their Bread Flour is made with a white wheat and their Whole Wheat Flour is made with a red wheat. You can read about them on the packages and on their website.

This is the original recipe from allrecipes.com:
Simple Whole Wheat Bread
SUBMITTED BY: Nita Crabb
"Simply a great-tasting and easy-to-make whole wheat bread."

RECIPE RATING:
The reviewers gave this recipe 326 stars. This recipe average a 4.8 star rating.

PREP TIME 20 Min
COOK TIME 30 Min
READY IN 3 Hrs
Original recipe yield 3 loaves

INGREDIENTS
3 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
2 (.25 ounce) packages active dry yeast
1/3 cup honey
5 cups bread flour
3 tablespoons butter, melted
1/3 cup honey
1 tablespoon salt
3 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
2 tablespoons butter, melted

DIRECTIONS
1. In a large bowl, mix warm water, yeast, and 1/3 cup honey. Add 5 cups white bread flour, and stir to combine. Let set for 30 minutes, or until big and bubbly.

2. Mix in 3 tablespoons melted butter, 1/3 cup honey, and salt. Stir in 2 cups whole wheat flour. Flour a flat surface and knead with whole wheat flour until not real sticky - just pulling away from the counter, but still sticky to touch. This may take an additional 2 to 4 cups of whole wheat flour. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to coat the surface of the dough. Cover with a dishtowel. Let rise in a warm place until doubled.

3. Punch down, and divide into 3 loaves. Place in greased 9 x 5 inch loaf pans, and allow to rise until dough has topped the pans by one inch.

4. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 25 to 30 minutes; do not overbake. Lightly brush the tops of loaves with 2 tablespoons melted butter or margarine when done to prevent crust from getting hard. Cool completely.