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Homemade Wheat Bread

Recipe Name: 
Homemade Wheat Bread
Picture: 
halfwholewheatbreadban.jpg
Description: 

A slightly sweet, healthy half-whole-wheat bread (also includes instructions for making this a 100% whole wheat loaf!)

Yield: 

1 loaf

Ingredients: 

1 cup warm water (110-115 degrees F)
1 tablespoon milk
2 tablespoons oil
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (see additional notes for a 100% whole wheat version)
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
2 teaspoons instant active dry yeast

Instructions: 

1. *Combine first 6 ingredients in a large mixing bowl; stir.

2. Add flours and yeast, and knead until dough is smooth and elastic, about 10-15 minutes. Place dough in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover with a clean towel and let rise until doubled, about 40 minutes.

3. Punch dough down; knead for a few minutes until smooth and then form into a loaf. Place in greased loaf pan and cover. Let rise in a warm place until almost doubled in size, about 30 minutes.

4. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes. If loaf starts browning too soon, lightly lay a piece of foil on top of the loaf to prevent too much darkening.

5. Remove bread from oven and allow to rest in pan for a few minutes. Remove to a wire rack and cover with a cloth. Slice and enjoy while still warm! Leftover bread can be stored in an airtight bag or frozen until needed.

Homemade Wheat Bread

Hot fresh loaves

Additional Notes: 

*If you have a bread maker, you can use the dough setting to knead it for you. Just put ingredients in according to order listed.

100% whole wheat bread

This recipe also makes very delicious 100% whole wheat bread. The bread in this picture was made with Prairie Gold hard white wheat.

If you would like your whole wheat bread to have a softer and better texture, you can add these dough conditioning ingredients to this recipe:

  • 3 tablespoons vital wheat gluten (replace 3 tablespoons of the flour called for in the recipe with this)
  • 1/2 teaspoon soy lecithin (we use granules of lecithin, and add it to the water at the beginning)
  • a pinch of citric acid (use sparingly!!)
  • a sprinkling of ginger

You could also purchase pre-mixed dough conditioners, which contain some of these ingredients but are more costly. We found our citric acid, soy lecithin, and wheat gluten at a bulk foods store. A little goes a long way!

Homemade wheat bread

Since purchasing a grain mill, we have been making this recipe with 100% whole wheat flour, using the additional ingredients mentioned here in the notes. We have given away many loaves and received many compliments -- this is a really fabulous recipe -- one we use weekly!! :)

Check out this article for more information about why we like to use dough conditioners!

 

100% whole wheat bread

 

Update: After moving from Ohio to Seattle, I had difficulty with this recipe. Read more about my experimentation with it, and what worked for me. The (slightly revised) ingredient list I'm now using here in Seattle is as follows:

1 cup warm water
1 tablespoon milk
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons oil or softened butter
2 tablespoons honey
a sprinkle of ground ginger
a pinch of citric acid (can use ascorbic acid instead)
2 teaspoons granulated lecithin
4 tablespoons (1/4 cup) vital wheat gluten/gluten flour (75% protein)
3 cups whole wheat flour (I use Prairie Gold hard white wheat; any whole wheat bread flour would work.)
2 teaspoons instant active dry yeast

I put the ingredients in my bread machine in the order listed above, and run the dough cycle. When dough cycle is complete, gently deflate dough, shape into a loaf, and place in a greased loaf pan. Grease the top of the loaf. Cover and let rise in a warm place until nearly double in size. Bake in a pre-heated 350-375*F oven for 30 minutes. (Tent loosely with foil after 20-25 minutes if loaf is browning too quickly.) When bread is done, remove from pan, place on a cooling rack, and cover until cool. Seal in a bag or container after cooled.

Preparation Time: 

30 minutes + rising time

Cooking Time: 

30-35 minutes

Tammy's Review: 

This is my standard wheat bread recipe because it turns out consistently good! This recipe was given to me by our friend Judy F. As with most any homemade yeast bread, this bread is best fresh, and will get drier after a day or so. It has a slightly sweet flavor and is an excellent dinner bread. My rating: 10/10.

Average vote based on 30 reviews.
10
out of 10
User Reviews
10
out of 10
Delicioso!

Delicious. I made this completely with whole wheat flour and didn't add any of the extras recommended because I didn't have them handy. It came out perfect and can't stop eating it. Great warm with butter, can't wait til morning, toasted with my coffee!



10
out of 10
Best bread baked

I had to let mine rise longer because it was cool today, but, turned out to be the most delicious bread I have ever made. Not too dense like most recipes with whole wheat in the ingredients. I may try the gluten flour next time to help it rise quicker. Thank you for such a great recipe. Oh, I did mix mine by hand, maybe that's why it turned out so well, didn't think about that. But just lovely. Thanks Jessica



10
out of 10
Perfect Whole Wheat Bread!

I've been trying to make really good whole wheat bread for years and I've used many different recipes and consulted lots of people. I've even been using lecithin and wheat gluten, too. I guess the ascorbic acid was the trick. Finally, ww bread that turned out exactly how I wanted it to. When I made the dough in my Kitchenaid, it was really dense and I wasn't so sure that it would turn out. I put it in a warm oven to rise, but it wasn't really rising after 45 minutes, so I pulled it out to rise on the counter; which it did just fine. Very soft texture, not dense at all. Great for making sandwiches. I no longer have to buy bread, yeah!



10
out of 10
Works great in the kitchenaid!

I have made this recipe for our family for the past 6 months (we make all our own bread) and it is by far our favorite. We double the recipe and make it in the kitchenaid and it turns out fabulous every time. I call it the error proof bread, we make a double batch several times a week! I allow the dough to rise in a warm oven in the kitchenaid bowl before transfering it to loaf pans, just as simple as the bread machine, just use your kneading hook and tastes fabulous!



10
out of 10
Success

Success
I tried this recipe two days ago. (thanks to Joshua I got all the enhancers he suggested - who would have thought that one can bake bread better than store bought) My first attempt was a delicious (but very dense loaf). I realized after wards that I didn't let the dough rise for long enough and that is why the results were a bit on the (brick) side. The kids loved it though and we finished the loaf last night. The kids (age 3 and 6)called it muffins (bless their souls). Today I tried again (with hubby's help). We put the dough under the electric blanket (in my bed of all places) and the results were fantastic. We polished all but two slices of the loaf for dinner. The kids have already ordered the next loaf for tomorrow. Hubby is looking forward to helping again. I've tried for 11 years to get him interested in my baking & cooking and this is the first time EVER he is taking an interest. Hubby asked me to check if there is a recipe for a loaf that will last longer ;) Thank you so much and keep up the good work.
edit - since the last post I made this recipe again (well I tripled up on all the ingredients to make 3 loaves) Big surprise - there goes my diet - three loaves only lasted 2 days.



10
out of 10
GREAT bread recipe!

We absolutely loved this bread. Recipe was incredibly easy to follow and the bread turned out perfectly. I'll make this again and again.



10
out of 10
Just like the picture

It's rare my baking comes out just like the picture--but it did with this. I ended up going back and making a quadruple batch and giving some to the neighbors. It was quite yummy!



10
out of 10
OMGosh!! It's gorgeous!

I haven't had a slice yet, but I've sure picked at the dough (yummy), and the loft is so beautiful after a second rising in the bread pan. I don't see how this could be a bad loaf of bread! And it smells heavenly. I've been looking for a recipe that used whole wheat that couldn't be used as a doorstop later, and I think I just found the perfect bread recipe. I've seen suggestions to use molasses, which adds a nice dose of potassium and iron to the recipe.



10
out of 10
Very delicious ~ kids loved it!

This bread was very moist and tasty. I decided to bake it in my bread machine and it turned out great. Not dense at all.
Thanks Tammy for another great, tried and true recipe!



10
out of 10
Love it!

I've been making your recipe for wheat bread for about 6 months or so. We all love it!
I posted about it on my blog today, & linked back to you.
Thanks for another great recipe Tammy!



10
out of 10
Breadmaker rises to the occasion!

Last night I was gone for dinner, so I left instructions with DH to take the bread out when it was done from the breadmaker. I was a bit nervous, having never tried this recipe AND the fact that I was using the bread machine. But it turned out wonderfully! DH said, "That bread machine is cool!" lol. I just dumped it all in according to the order it was written, and put it on "normal/specialty" cycle (didn't choose wheat), 1 1/2 loaf, and medium crust. Wah-lah, 3 1/2 hours later it was a beautiful yummy loaf!



10
out of 10
A bread that is really simple to make and Yummy!

This is a fast and simple bread recipe. I am usually great at goofing up bread, but this recipe is really easy to follow. I also like that it rises quickly, so you can have fresh homemade bread in your hand in less than 2.5 hours. I am usually great at ruining bread, but this recipe turned out really lovely. It is a little more on the sweet side, and would be great as a dinner roll. The texture and sweetness reminded me of the bread that they serve at Outback Steakhouse.



10
out of 10
HANDS DOWN THE BEST BREAD EVER!

In the past 24hrs I have used this recipe 3x's! I made it with the molasses instead of honey & when halvies with the flours...just fabulous! Even my 7yr old ate the crust! A selling point on it's own! I sent a loaf to my husband's office & received RAVE reviews from his employees...also passed along the website, so you will new additions to your member list soon. JUST THE BEST!



10
out of 10
Best bread ever

I love this bread. I add 4 tsp of vital wheat gluten, let my bread machine knead it. It's very easy this way, and this bread is even better than Sara Lee, with all its HFCS and chemicals added to make it soft and sweet.



10
out of 10
The best bread - EVER!

I have tried many homemade bread recipes (too many to count) trying to find the PERFECT one. While many of them were very good, there was always something that just wasn't exactly what I was looking for.

I have finally found the PERFECT homemade bread with this recipe. It was easy to make (used my bread machine for the dough cycle) and was absolutely delicious. The texture was amazing - firm, yet soft and not crumbly at all! I am in awe and so thankful, Tammy.

Also, just a little sidenote. My husband is a hard one to impress. After he took the first bite of bread, his exact words were, "Wow that is some awesome bread, dear!". : )

I have finally found the perfect bread - my search is over. Thank you! PS - Forgot to add that I made 2 loaves: one exactly as recipe stated and one in which I substituted molasses for honey. The molasses was the favorite of the adults and the honey was the favorite of the kids. :) I'll be making both regularly. **Update: I made 3 more loaves of this over the weekend. Came out perfect and consistent every single time. Thanks again for this recipe. It is the new everyday bread for our family!



10
out of 10
Easy & Really Good

This bread is super easy to make and comes out consistantly good. We no longer buy bread at the store because it's so much tastier when I make this one! It's really easy to modify the recipe and still get a great loaf, too!



10
out of 10
Yummy!

I'm a lazy measure-er, so I use 2 cups whole-wheat and 1 cup white flour. Turns out great. My whole family loves it! Someday I'll get brave and try making it with all whole-wheat, but I'm afraid it wouldn't rise as well.



10
out of 10
A new staple!

I quadrupled the recipe and I plan to bake it bimonthly! It turned out great, but I think by quadrupling it- it may have made a dough too heavy for my Kitchenaid to knead ( it made a sad noise.)
Also found bulk yeast at a grocery store $3.50 for 2lbs!



10
out of 10
Yummy Bread!!

I have been looking for a bread recipe that is good enough to make everyday instead of buying bread from the store. And I found it!! This bread is so yummy and my entire family loves it too!!! It has just the right amount of sweetness and I know what is in it which makes me feel even better! Thanks Tammy!!



10
out of 10
Wonderful Taste! Wonderful Aroma!

Thank you for this wonderful recipe. I have tried several wheat bread recipes before and none were so yummy! Others were too gritty or sandy which my interpretation of normal wheat bread ;)

But this wheat bread is so sweet and smooth and yummy! My kids and husband ate almost the whole loaf with lunch. I too will stop buying bread unless I'm in a pinch and just make this recipe. It was also so easy to cut and didn't flake apart.



10
out of 10
Delicious!!

After making this, I may never buy bread from the grocery store again! I added a little bit of millet (about 2 1/2 T) to mine for some extra crunch. My husband is picky about bread, and he's been toasting this bread for breakfast ever since I made it!



10
out of 10
Very nice!

I will be making this bread again! I let it knead and rise once in my bread machine. The first one I forgot and let it raise twice, so it rose three times all together and it was the best, actually! Honey is out of my budget right now, so I used molasses instead, but it was great! I mght have smaller loaf pans as each recipe made 1 large loaf and one small loaf. We ate the small one for dinner and the rest for later! It was so easy, I think I can make this everyday!



10
out of 10
So good

I made the recipe in my bread machine book but it wasn't what we liked so I was glad to see your recipe and give it a try. I really wanted to just knead it in my bread machine and then bake it in the oven - smells better and I like the long 'normal' loaf and my machine just does a tall loaf with a 'mushroom' top.
This was great! I made it as per your recipe first but found it a bit sweeter than we like it, so I left out the honey and it's just great. It tastes so much better than store bought bread that we aren't planning to buy bread any more. This recipe is so easy it's not I don't mind taking a few minutes to make it myself! Thanks again!



10
out of 10
SO GOOD!

My family loves this bread, and I love that it's so easy to make. It made a beautiful loaf and is good as leftovers (especially warmed) as well. Oh, mine was done in 25 minutes. Thanks, Tammy!



10
out of 10
Whole Wheat Bread - slightly modified

I made the original first and was fast, easy and very tasty. I then made another and added 1/2 cup or so of Quick Oats and 1/4 cup of sunflower seeds. Making another loaf like that as I write this. Thanks Tammy for a great wheat bread recipe. My next attempt is adding apricots, raisens and some spices.



10
out of 10
Whole Wheat Bread

This Bread....
Is delicious!!! Very soft and tender, not wheaty tasting at all. I
used EVOL and all whole wheat flour. It turned out great. I have pics
on my blog if anyone wants to see how mine turned out. My family of 7
devoured two whole loaves at dinner time! I will use this recipe again
and again! Thanx so much!!



10
out of 10
Very, very Good

I just made this and already have eaten three pieces! The only change I made was to omit the milk (I was out) and increased the oil to 3T. I made the dough in my bread machine but baked it in the oven. Delicous!



10
out of 10
Love it

I didn't grow up baking bread, so I always expected it to be too much work, but a couple weeks ago, I started baking bread for the first time using your recipes. First I tried the bagels and then this one - they both turned out great. Thanks so much!



10
out of 10
Yummy homemade wheat bread recipe!

Please see the recipe above for my complete review! Thanks! ~Tammy



10
out of 10
Another Ten

Tammy, you have the most consistent recipes that seem to hit our family's palate. This one is another hit. My girls loved helping me knead the dough and then having a sample when it was done. This bread slices beautifully. It has a slight sweet flavor, but that did not stop us from sampling it with honey butter. I am looking forward to trying it toasted in the morning with peanut butter.


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