Monday, August 29, 2011

Homemade Wheat Bread

Hey everyone! I am on a mission to find easy, good recipes for homemade bread. I do have a bread machine to handle the initial kneading and first rise so when I saw this one from April at Angel Food Kitchen I couldn't wait to give it a try.
Notes:
  • Of course I had to try it on a day we were bracing for a hurricane and the humidity was through the roof... I don't suggest that and do look forward to making it in September when the weather will be beautiful.
  • When I looked at the dough after 10 minutes it was a perfect gorgeous ball. At the end of the dough cycle it was a sticky wet mess (very similar to the Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes dough). I just spooned it out (plopped it really) into a bread pan. 
  • Love that this recipe does not call for oil.
  • It is a very active dough and rose in the pan quickly. 
  • I used an 8 1/2" x 4 1/2" pan and should have held some of the dough out, maybe fill a ramekin and use that for breadcrumbs. I will do that next time.
  • I used King Arthur Flour Whole Wheat flour, it's a very fine grind, powdery like A/P.
  • I fully expected to say that I'd cut back on the honey, but it's really good and not too sweet at all. I'm keeping the recipe as is and will be making this again-thanks April!
  • This is what you want your kitchen to smell like! It's a nice nutty wheat bread and I think you'll like it if you try it:@)
  • Now to find a white bread recipe...
Hope you've had at least one BLT while the tomatoes are ripe!

Super Easy Wheat Bread
1 1/8 C warm water
2 1/2 tsp yeast
1/4 C honey or sugar-I used honey
1 tsp salt
2 Tblsp butter, softened
2 C A/P flour
1 C wheat flour
  1. Place water, yeast and honey into the bread machine and allow to proof for 10 minutes. Mixture should look foamy and bubbly
  2. Add salt, butter and flours. Set bread machine to dough setting and turn on. 
  3. Check dough after 10 minutes to make sure it's not too wet or too dry. If it is, add water or flour, a tablespoon at a time until it is the right consistency. (It should be slightly moist to the touch, and clearing the sides of the bread machine pan) 
  4. Once the dough cycle is finished, place dough into a well greased 9 1/2 X 5 bread pan. 
  5. Brush top of dough with melted butter and cover with a kitchen towel in a warm place. Allow to rest for 30 minutes.
  6. Place into a pre-heated 350 degree oven. Bake for 30 minutes. 
  7. Remove from oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a rack and allow to cool completely. Slice and enjoy.
Have a happy day:@)
I'm joining:
On The Menu Monday
Foodie Friday

33 comments:

  1. I have been looking for a recipe for good wheat bread and this looks like it may be it and I can use our honey too. You took such great photos that it is easy to see the nice crumb! I may give this a try down at the city house on Wednesday and test it out on the family. - My daughter uses her bread machine for the kneading too

    xo

    ReplyDelete
  2. Note to self, add wheat flour to shopping list! Oh you temptress how you tease me so! This looks amazing! I can't wait to try it out!

    ReplyDelete
  3. mm, I love homemade bread more than cake and cookies...NOT more than pie, tho. :))
    This really does look good. I don't have a bread machine but I could still make it. Gonna give it a try.:)
    xo bj

    ReplyDelete
  4. I figured I might try your recipe. Then you showed how it looked with bacon, lettuce, and tomato... gorgeous! I'm definitely giving this one a go!!

    Blessings, Debbie

    ReplyDelete
  5. As much as I love homemade bread you would think I would bake it more often. You've inspired me with your BLT. Damn, I love that sandwich.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Your bread looks so good, Lynn! I only eat homemade bread (I know, I'm a bread snob!!!) Check out "Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day", by Jeff Hertzberg & Zoe Francois. They even have a website. I have their basic recipe on my blog. It's so easy & the dough keeps in the fridge for 2weeks!!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Your bread came out perfectly, Lynn. That sandwich looks so good. xo

    ReplyDelete
  8. I'm off to the kitchen to make a BLT--no homemade bread though. Glad you and Earl came through Irene o.k.. While you were bracing, we were enjoying sunny skies and balmy temperatures and feeling guilty.

    Best,
    Bonnie

    ReplyDelete
  9. I bet your kitchen smelled so good - nothing like fresh bakes bread. Yum.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Can I run over for lunch?

    Glad Irene didn't blow you away!

    ReplyDelete
  11. First of all, let me say how relieved I am to hear you & your family didn't have much damage from Irene. What a mess for so many people! ugh!

    I wish my DH liked wheat bread, so I could try this recipe. I'd end up eating the whole loaf all by myself. :/

    I think you would like my Dad's homemade white bread recipe that I posted here:

    http://rettspace.blogspot.com/2010/03/dads-homemade-bread.html

    His father's father owned a bakery, along with his brother. I just made his homemade doughnuts this weekend...TDF!!!

    Let me know if you try it, okay? I'm like you...I use my bread machine for all the mixing & the kneading & then put it into loaf pans, as we like more people to have a taste of the crust. That's the best part!

    Hugs,
    Rett

    ReplyDelete
  12. I am so glad you liked the bread Lynn! My family loves it and we go through at least 4 loafs a week. I updated the recipe to let people know that the dough will be sticky once the bread machine is finished. Here's a little secret... You can reduce the water down to 1 cup, and use all-purpose flour only, and it makes really tasty white bread too. Just a FYI. Glad you made it through the hurricane safely!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I just looked at red couch recipes for raspberry jam and now your bread. Oh how I would love those two together!
    Lisa

    ReplyDelete
  14. Now I'm craving a BLT! I know what to have for lunch tomorrow.

    ReplyDelete
  15. You're wheat bread looks amazing!!! I just posted a white bread recipe on my blog if you are interested:

    http://farmersattic.blogspot.com/2011/08/white-bread.html

    Think I'll be trying your recipe this week :)

    Lucy

    ReplyDelete
  16. Your bread looks delish! That sandwich is a beauty. We had BLTs for dinner tonight, but we didn't have your homemade bread. I used to make bread quite often and my favorite way to eat it was warm, spread with butter and jam. Have a good evening, Lynn!
    Beth

    ReplyDelete
  17. BLT's my FAVORITE! That photo is mouthwatering good!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Looks great, Lynn.

    I'll take a BLT.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Lynn, This is a must try for me. I am learning to make bread this year. I don't have a good wheat bread recipe... until now! Thanks for joining me for ON THE MENU MONDAY and sharing your thought and recipe.
    Yvonne

    ReplyDelete
  20. I use to love baking bread and I've gotten away from it but think it's time to get back to good ole homemade bread! Great recipe!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Lynn I will take a loaf of your bread with Joni's jatm! I was just telling her I needed her to bring me up a jar but I needed homemade bread to go with it. I can always tell when it is Fall because I want to start making homemade bread again!

    ReplyDelete
  22. This looks delicious, Lynn...Christine

    ReplyDelete
  23. This bread looks like it came right out of a good bakery. The texture is smooth and the bread doesn't look heavy as some wheat breads can be. Your photos are very nice, too. Shannon

    ReplyDelete
  24. Oh, I can smell your home right now! What I love about baking bread is the way the house smells. This recipe looks easy and delicious.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Good morning Lynn, I too have a bread maker and it is kneading the dough but not baking correctly. I need to make this bread and bake it in my oven. That little bit of honey would be right for this recipe. I have an awesome recipe that calls for maple syrup in Oatmeal bread. It is my families fave.
    Have a happy day.
    Hugs, Jeanne

    ReplyDelete
  26. That does sound like a LOT Of honey but it looks amazing. It makes me think of a song by Judy Collins Cook With Honey: I always cook with honey, To sweeten up the night, We always cook with honey, Tell me, how's your appetite... YUM

    ReplyDelete
  27. Oh yum! I think I can smell this bread from here! Although I didn't get a chance to join the party this month (just didn't get a chance because of trying to get things dealt with after our vacation), did I miss who the celebrity will be for September?

    ReplyDelete
  28. This is fantastic. I love the taste of home made bread. Everyone should do it.

    ReplyDelete
  29. This looks so delicious. I love, love, love homemade bread. I never use my breadmaker for the kneading and rise. Need to give that one a try.

    ReplyDelete
  30. This bread looks amazing Lynn, I can't wait to try it myself! Thanks for the recipe. Hugs, FABBY

    ReplyDelete
  31. It looks delicious! I do not have a bread machine though!

    ReplyDelete
  32. Just love the smell of bread baking! Pass the BLT please!! Have a wonderful weekend:)

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for stopping by-enjoy your day!