In the Kitchen - Homemade Honey Wheat Bread

Why bake bread when you can buy it at the store?  Good question!  I used to wonder the same thing until I really started to look at the ingredients on the labels of bread.  Commercial breads contain preservatives so they can sit on your counter for days, many contain high fructose corn syrup, many contain soy oils or other oils that I did not want to ingest, and most of them contain ingredients I cannot pronounce.

But NOTHING compares to the aroma and experience of baking fresh bread in the oven and having the first piece warm with apple butter or butter!  Then if you keep this loaf in the refrigerator and have a serrated knife, it will last a good long time and you will know your family is eating the best!  Don't you love the consistency of fresh homemade bread as opposed to that spongy pre-sliced loaf bought in the store?  I know my family does!  This recipe is loved by adults and children and has a great flavor.. it is tried and true!  Even Journey loves this bread so it has passed the picky kid test!

I do make some additions or substitutions on occasion in my recipe.  Most of the time I use a higher proportion of wheat flour to white flour than the recipe calls for.  It makes it a little denser but is still wonderful!

I also break mine into 2 loaves in slightly bigger loaf pans and extend the cooking time by 5 minutes or so. 

You can add some additional great nutrition to this bread too.  Try substituting 1/3 cup of flaxmeal for some of the flour or adding seeds like sunflower seeds or others to the recipe.  You could even use a bit of oatmeal instead of some of the white flour.   I usually try a recipe once just the way it is and then make notes to make changes later in my second and subsequent batches.

But definitely try this one out!  It freezes well and it is a winner every time!

Simple Whole Wheat Bread

	Prep Time: 20 Minutes	Ready In: 3 Hours
	Cook Time: 30 Minutes	Servings: 36

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 or coconut oil 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      If 2 loaves bake for 30-35 minutes