Bake a soft, wholesome whole wheat bread loaf at home. This easy recipe uses honey for natural sweetness, resulting in a tender crumb perfect for sandwiches and toast.
Author:emilyharrison
Prep Time:20 min
Cook Time:35 min
Total Time:2 hours 5 minutes
Yield:1 loaf (about 14 slices) 1x
Category:Baking
Method:Kneading and Baking
Cuisine:American
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
1 cup warm water (105-115°F)
2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
1/3 cup honey
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
3 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup all-purpose flour (optional, for a slightly lighter texture)
1 large egg
Instructions
Combine the warm water and yeast in a large bowl. Let it sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
Stir the honey, melted butter, and salt into the yeast mixture.
Add the whole wheat flour and the egg. Mix with a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms.
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for 5 to 7 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. Add the all-purpose flour if the dough remains too sticky.
Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turning to coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean towel. Let the dough rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
Gently punch down the risen dough. Shape it into a loaf and place it into a greased 9×5 inch loaf pan.
Cover the pan loosely and let the dough rise again for 30 to 45 minutes, or until it crests about 1 inch above the rim of the pan.
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) during the last 15 minutes of the second rise.
Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 190°F (88°C).
Remove the loaf from the pan immediately and cool completely on a wire rack before slicing for the best texture.
Notes
For a richer flavor, substitute milk for the water in the initial step.
If you prefer a crustier exterior, brush the top of the loaf with an egg wash (1 egg beaten with 1 teaspoon water) before the second rise.
This bread freezes well once fully cooled; slice before freezing for easy toast portions later.