Whole Wheat Bread

 Prep Time:

15 mins

Cook Time:

1 hour

Total Time:

1.5 hour

Servings:

12

Ingredients

• 3 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)

• 2 (.25 ounce) packages active dry yeast

• ⅔ cup honey, divided

• 5 cups bread flour

• 5 tablespoons butter, melted, divided

• 1 tablespoon salt

• 4 cups whole wheat flour, or more as needed

• Directions

  1. Step 1:

     Mix warm water, yeast, and 1/3 cup honey in a large bowl to dissolve. Add 5 cups bread flour, and stir to combine. Let sit for 30 minutes, or until big and bubbly.

  2. Step 2:

     Mix in 3 tablespoons melted butter, remaining 1/3 cup honey, and salt. Stir in 2 cups whole wheat flour. Transfer dough to a floured work surface and gradually knead in remaining 2 cups whole wheat flour. Knead until dough starts to pull away from the work surface, adding more whole wheat flour if necessary; dough should be a bit tacky to the touch, but not too sticky.

  3. Step 3:

     Place in a greased bowl, turning once to coat the surface of the dough. Cover with a dish towel and let rise in a warm place until doubled, 45 minutes to 1 hour.

  4. Step 4:

     Grease three 9x5-inch loaf pans. Punch down the dough, and divide it into 3 loaves. Place in the prepared loaf pans, and allow to rise until dough has topped the pans by one inch, another 45 minutes to 1 hour.

  5. Step 5:

     Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

  6. Step 6:

     Bake the risen loaves in the preheated oven until golden brown for 25 to 30 minutes, do not overbake.

  7. Step 7:

     Lightly brush the tops of the loaves with remaining 2 tablespoons melted butter when done to prevent crust from getting hard. Cool completely.
  9.