Saturday, March 6, 2010

A Repice-a-Week in 2010

Week 9
Simple Whole Wheat Bread




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
1/3 cup honey
1 tablespoon salt
3 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
2 tablespoons butter, melted

Directions

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.
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.

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.
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

My Review

Never have I felt so domestic! And do I dare admit that this was my first time making bread???? (Without a machine, that is. And of course I have made things like pumpkin bread....but this is different with all the yeast and rising and things of that nature.) So because this was my first time I was careful to choose a recipe that had rave reviews - and one that would be somewhat fool proof. Happily, I think I found it.

When I pulled those loaves of hot bread out of the oven...oh the satisfaction I felt. I did it!

(I realize that to many making bread is a breeze...but this is a big deal to someone like me who is not so gifted in the kitchen!)






***recipe from Allrecipes.com
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