Easy Whole Wheat Bread

In this episode of In the Kitchen with Matt I will show you how to make whole wheat bread. This recipe for homemade whole wheat bread is really easy to make, if I can make it, you can make it, let's get baking.

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Follow the easy steps below or watch the video tutorial or do both! :)

You may print the recipe here if you like.

Ingredients:

• 2 3/4 cups of water (650mL)
• 2 tsp. of granulated suger (10g)
• 1/3 cup of oil (canola, olive, vegetable) (78mL)
• 1/3 cup of honey (113g)
• 2 Tbsp. of maple syrup or molasses (43g)
• 1 Tbsp. of salt (17g)
• 6 to 7 1/2 cups of whole wheat flour (678g - 847g) (most likely you will only use about 6 cups)
• 2 Tbsp. of active dry yeast (30g)
• oil for greasing bowl

Tools:

• Bowls
• Wooden spoon
• whisk or fork
• plastic wrap
• damp towel
• 5x9 bread pans
• dough cutter or knife
• kitchen spray or shortening

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First we want to get our yeast started. I always do this to make sure my yeast is good. Heat your water to 105 degrees F to 115 degrees F. (40 to 46 C). Then add in about a tsp. of sugar. Next add in your yeast. Use a fork to agitate it bit. Then let it sit for 10 minutes until it gets nice and foamy. If it does NOT get foamy, the yeast is bad, or the water was too hot or not hot enough, you will want to start over.

Now let's add in our other liquid ingredients, our oil, maple syrup or molasses, and our honey. Use your wooden spoon to mix it together.

Now we want to form our dough by adding our flour about a cup of it at a time, then mixing it in with our wooden spoon. We don't want to just dump it all in. Even if you are using a stand mixer only add a cup or two at a time. Once it gets too thick to mix with a spoon switch to your hands, adding more flour as necessary.

***Note this recipe uses 100% whole wheat flour. You can do a combination of white bread flour and whole wheat, I would use a 75/25 ratio wheat to white.

Next we will knead our dough, either using your hands or using a stand mixer with a dough hook. Fold the dough over on itself, push down, then turn a quarter turn, and repeat for 8 minutes. The dough should be nice and springy when you touch on it. Notice how much flour I have left over, about 1 1/2 cups. Next grease a large bowl with oil or kitchen spray and place your dough in it, move it around so it gets coated, then place a damp towel over it. Let rise for 1 hour.

After the dough has risen, let's punch down the dough then remove it from the bowl and place on the table or counter. Use a dough cutter or knife to cut the dough in half, then roll the dough and shape it into a loaf shape, after which you will place it in a greased 5x9 inch bread pan. I used shortening to grease the bread pan. Cover with plastic wrap loosely and the damp towel, and let rise for 45 minutes to an hour.

Now once our bread has risen a second time, let's bake it at 350 degrees F (176C) for 35 to 40 minutes on the middle rack. They will get nice and brown on top, and will sound hollow when you thump on them with your finger. Next let them sit in the pan and cool for 5 to 10 minutes before transferring them out of the pan and onto wire racks to cool completely. Cut into that fresh yummy bread, add some butter and honey or jelly and you are good to go! Enjoy! :)

Now watch those steps in action by checking out the video tutorial. :)