Recipes For Whole Wheat Bread

What’s A Bread Sponge

Let’s talk about step #2 for a moment, shall we? I believe that the biggest factor that makes this bread stay so soft and fresh is the step in the recipe calling for you to make a sponge. Now I’m not talking about the kind of sponge you keep by your kitchen sink. In bread making, a sponge is a very moist dough that just begins to rise as it gives the yeast a head start. After it’s had some time to do its magic, you add more flour and ingredients and proceed with the recipe. The sponge in this recipe only needs to sit for about 10 minutes. But apparently that’s all it takes to achieve this bread’s wonderful texture.

The Best Whole Wheat Bread Recipe

This healthy whole wheat bread has the best flavor, with a touch of honey. The bread is incredibly soft, and I can never resist eating a slice warm from the oven. Once you try it, Im sure youll agree that this is the best whole wheat bread recipe!

Below Ive also included instructions for how to make this bread with all-purpose flour or bread flour. Whichever you choose, you will have a delicious loaf of bread to use for sandwiches or to serve with dinner. I highly recommend spreading some butter and honey on a slice its so delicious!

You might also enjoy my brioche bun recipe, whole wheat pizza dough and easy yeast rolls.

Ingredients Youll Need To Make This Whole Wheat Bread

There are only 5 ingredients needed to make this recipe!

• Whole wheat flour
• Butter Vegetable oil will also work.
• Molasses I love the dark smoky flavor the molasses gives this whole wheat bread. You can also use honey or maple syrup, though the bread will be milder and lighter in color.
• Active-dry or instant yeast

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Whole Wheat Potato Bread

In a massive food fail, I once let almost 20 pounds of organic potatoes freeze on my enclosed front porch. Yeah, pretty dumb, huh?? I beat myself up pretty good over that!

Immediately, I turned to google to figure out what the heck to do with all of my rock hard potatoes and was dismayed to find that almost every source said they had to be trashed. Im not going to lie to you: they were quite nasty: soft and squishy and very juicy.

But, I wasnt giving up that easily!! Potato bread was on my mind, but Id never made it and needed to find a recipe. Since I bake almost exclusively with freshly ground flour, I wanted to find a recipe that incorporated fresh flour.

Through Pinterest, I ended up at the blog Common Sense Homesteading and found a recipe that looked promising. I decided to make 3 small loaves to see if it would work and I was delighted that it did! In fact, this bread is beyond good it might just be my new favorite bread!! I only hope I dont always have to start with frozen potatoes to get this result!

I adapted the recipe to fit my needs and made THIRTEEN loaves. Its that good, people. Heres my adaption:

How Do I Check For The Doneness Of The Bread

Different ovens work differently. Baking time may vary depending upon the oven, and the size of the baking pan. Here are a few ways you can tell if the bread is baked right, as follows:

1. Appearance: Visually just looking at the bread one can tell if its baked right or not. If all the sides and top of the bread are golden browns, 90% of the bread is baked. I would allow 5-7 minutes of additional baking time just to be on the safe side, so the inside of the bread is baked well.

2. Tap The Bottom Take the bread out of the pan and tap at the bottom of it. If it sounds hollow, means its baked.

3. Check The Internal Temperature With practice, one can tell if the bread is baked well by simply using the first two clues. However, if you are new to baking, I would highly recommend using an instant-read thermometer. Simply insert the thermometer into the center of the bread. If the temperature is around 190 F, the bread is fully baked.

4. Rule Of Thumb If in doubt, just bake for extra few minutes. Its better to eat an overbaked bread than under-baked.

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Is A Whole Wheat Bread Recipe Actually Healthier Than Other Kinds Of Bread

The incredible thing about all bread its always made of the same ingredients: flour, water, and yeast. What makes each loaf unique is the way in which they are combined, and the amount of time they spend fermenting, proofing, and developing flavor.

This beginner bread recipe, instead of using just white flour, uses a combination of white and whole wheat. Whole wheat flour is a less-processed grain. This makes the flour have a more robust flavor, darker color, and higher fiber content than white flour. The whole wheat component of this bread is an added bonus for so many reasons. It adds flavor, texture, color as well as some added nutrition.

How To Help Your Dough Rise Faster

If your kitchen tends to be a bit cooler, particularly in the fall and winter, it will slow down the rise. To help your dough rise faster, heres a few warmer suggestions:

• Oven: Heat your oven to its lowest setting for a few minutes, then turn it off. Place the covered dough on the center rack and close the door.
• Microwave: Heat 1 cup of water in your microwave for 2 minutes. Remove water and place the covered dough in the microwave and close the door.
• Other: Ive also risen bread on top of a warm oven, running dryer machine, and even on a chair set over a heater vent.

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Step : Prepare The Dough

Add whole wheat flour, salt, butter, or olive oil to the yeast mixture. With the back of a wooden spatula, combine the ingredients to form a shaggy mass of dough.

Using a dough hook attachment, knead the dough for 5-7 minutes, or until the dough is soft and pliable .

Note: If you are kneading by hand, mix the dough with the back of a spatula until all the ingredients are just combined. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured work surface. Knead the dough until it is soft, pliable, springs back when pressed, and is not sticky around 8-10 minutes.

Step : Shape The Bread Loaf

Grease two, 9-by-5 inch loaf pans with some softened butter or oil.

Transfer the dough onto a work surface and deflate it.

Using a bench cutter, divide the dough into 2 equal pieces.

Take a piece of the dough ball, and flatten it into a rectangle with a width equivalent to the loaf pan.

Roll the dough into a shape of a log, starting with a shorter end. Place the shaped dough, seam side down, into the greased loaf pan.

Dust some flour over the shaped loaves. Cover with a plastic wrap and place it in a warm place to rise again for around 45-60 minutes or until its slightly over the rim of the pan.

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Step : Bake Whole Wheat Bread

Towards the end of the second rise, pre-heat the oven to 350 F.

Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.

At around 22 minutes of baking, tent the bread with some aluminum foil to prevent the top of the bread from browning.

Remove from the oven, and transfer the bread bowls to a cooling rack.

Let the bread come to room temperature, using a serrated or bread knife slice the bread into desired pieces. Enjoy a slice of warm, soft whole wheat bread with some butter.

Wrap the leftover bread into a paper towel. Place it into a Ziploc bag and store it in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Pic Shown: Homemade Whole Wheat Bread

Top Tips For Making No Knead Whole Wheat Bread

• Always cut whole wheat flour with some white flour. It will lighten your bread and give your better end results
• If using instant yeast add it directly into the dry ingredients
• If using active dried yeast then you have to sponge it in water first
• Ferment for a minimum of 18 hours for best flavor and texture
• After 24 hours if you dont bake your dough then pop the dough in the fridge for up to 3 days
• Steam your bread for the first 20 minutes of baking to create a chewy crust

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How Do I Know If The Dough Is Kneaded Enough

A well-kneaded dough will be soft, elastic, springs back when you poke your finger, and wont be sticky. If the dough does not pass this simple test, it means it needs more kneading.

Here are a few ways you can tell that the dough is kneaded well:

First, it forms into a nice smooth dough, the dough will start to leave the sides of the bowl.

Secondly, poke a finger, and if the dough springs back, and is not sticky, the dough is kneaded well.

Lastly, you can also do a windowpane test. Take a small piece of dough, and stretch it as thin as possible. If the dough does not tear, and you can see a thin layer of dough, it means the dough is kneaded well.

You Wont Believe How Easy It Is To Make Homemade Whole Wheat Bread This Recipe Bakes Up Soft And Is Perfect For Sandwiches

Have you ever made homemade bread?

I have to say I find it one of the most rewarding things to do. It can be a labor of love, but there is something so satisfying about it. Its guaranteed to make you feel super-proud of yourself!

And honestly the taste cant be beat. So much better than store bought!

I have a handful of great bread recipes on this site, like these homemade crescent rolls, this cinnamon bread, and these soft overnight brioche buns, but the most versatile, every day recipe of all would have to be this soft whole wheat bread. In my family, its our go-to!

We love it because its so soft, pillow-y, and moist, with just a slight bit of nuttiness from the whole grains. Its really a perfect everyday loaf!

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Easy Whole Wheat Artisan Bread Recipe

Using just four basic ingredients and minimal hands-on time, you can make freshly baked, Whole Wheat Artisan Bread right in the comfort of your own home! Your friends and family will wonder which bakery you bought it from!

My whole family LOVES homemade whole wheat bread! Who doesn’t? It’s hearty, fresh and smells amazing! I especially love making Homemade Whole Wheat Bagels! But I know a lot of us don’t have tons of time to spend making bread every week. That’s why I’m obsessed with this 4 ingredient Whole Wheat Artisan Bread that takes one-bowl and only 10 minutes of hands-on-time to prepare!

Whole Wheat Bread Recipes

Kristina Vanni

Growing up, I wasn’t always a fan of whole wheat bread. My best friend’s mom made our PB& J’s with homemade raspberry jam, natural crunchy peanut butter , and the whole wheat bread she baked each week. I complained bitterly about wanting grape jelly, smooth peanut butter, and the kind of white bread that came in a brightly colored plastic bag. Eventually, I realized the error of my ways.

Whole wheat bread isn’t just higher in fiber than store-bought white bread and free of additives and artificial ingredients, it also has a more substantive texture and a heartier flavor. These bread recipes are not complicated to makewe promise! You’ll find traditional methods, recipes for bread machines, and both yeast and quick variations. Maybe once they’ve caught a whiff of that fresh, baking-bread smell, your kids will come around to whole wheat, too.

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How To Make No Knead Whole Wheat Bread

How To Make Whole Wheat Artisan Bread

Step 1: In a large bowl whisk together the flour, salt and yeast until combined.

Step 2: Pour in the room temperature water.

Step 3: Use a wooden spoon to stir the mixture until a dough forms. I usually switch to using my hands to make sure all of the flour has been incorporated into the dough.

Step 4: Form the dough into a rough ball and leave it in the bowl you mix the dough in.

Step 5: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it sit at room temperature for at least 12 hours, even up to 18 hours, until it has risen.

Towards the end of the rising time, preheat your oven to 475°F / 250°C and place a dutch oven with the lid on inside the oven to preheat as well. Once the oven is hot, carefully remove the dutch oven and remove the lid.

Step 6: Using floured hands, remove the risen dough from the bowl and shape it into a rough ball. Place it on a piece of parchment paper and carefully set it inside of the hot dutch oven. Cover the pot and place it in the oven.

Step 7: Bake the bread covered for 30 minutes. Remove the lid and let the bread bake another 15 minutes or until crusty and golden on top.

Step 8: After removing the bread from the oven, carefully remove it from the pot and allow it to cool on a wire rack. Slice and Enjoy!

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How Long Does The Dough Need To Rise

This bread dough needs to rise twice, first in an oiled bowl and second in the bread pan. The first rise takes about an hour, until the dough doubles in size. The second rise is shorter, about 20 to 30 minutes. For the second rise, the dough is ready to go into the oven when the top is just above the top of the bread pan, as seen in the photo below.

What To Love About 100% Whole Wheat Bread

Honestly, there is very little NOT to love about homemade bread. Especially warm from the oven. But here are some more favorites.

• Incredibly soft and delicious sandwich bread
• Healthy and satisfying
• Easy to make with few ingredients
• The aroma of home-baked bread
• Perfect for sandwiches, toast, and snacks!

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Why Make This No Knead Whole Wheat Bread

• No Kneading Required
• Easy To MakeFor Beginners
• Requires only 5 Simple Ingredients
• Healthy and Delicious

You cannot make an easier bread than this. Theres no kneading required, you simply mix the ingredients with a wooden spoon in a big bowl, cover it with plastic wrap and leave it on your counter overnight. Bask in the glory of this easy no knead whole wheat bread recipe so lets get baking!

How To Serve 100% Whole Wheat Bread

Besides just eating it warm from the oven, this homemade bread can be enjoyed in so many ways.

Its perfect for sandwiches, because of its soft, pillow-y texture.

And it toasts beautifully! I love to slather it with butter and give it a sprinkling of cinnamon sugar, or a swipe of jam. That plus a cup of hot, milky tea and Im in heaven.

You could also use it as a base for your avocado toast!

If you find your leftovers are starting to get a bit dry, use them for French toast or bread pudding, or whiz them up in the food processor to make bread crumbs.

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