Maxine's Wonderful Whole Wheat Bread

[lizzybennet]

Per themenow's request, here it the recipe for the bread I made yesterday

*Tina's notes: I modified the recipe a bit and I'm going to type it up the way I made it. I didn't think my family would like 100% whole wheat bread so I used about half whole wheat, half white. I also split the recipe in half. Maxine has 10 kids (maybe more, I can't recall the exact number) so this recipe was originally written for 4 loaves. I made two loaves as I only have 2 loaf pans. I think we could have easily eaten 4 loaves. We only have half a loaf left and it hasn't even been 24 hours yet since I made it. This morning Zack asked if I'd make french toast for him with the bread. After he finished eating he said "That was the very best French toast I have ever had in my whole life!" That's they type of thing I love to hear*

2 cups whole wheat flour
2 TBS yeast
2 cups warm water
1/4 cup butter, melted
1/3 cup honey, may use molasses
2 tsp salt
4 cups white flour

Mix yeast, water and 2 cups whole wheat flour together. Let sit 30-60 minutes until double. This is called a sponge. It allows the yeast to get a head start on the bread before all the ingredients are added (very important!!!)

Add butter, honey and salt with remaining flour. Add flour about 1 cup at a time to the dough until dough thickens. When all the flour is added knead about 15-20 minutes (only 5-10 with a bread machine.) If dough is sticky, add small amounts of flour until it is right consistency.

Return dough to oiled bowl. Roll it around bowl so that it gets nice and oiled. Cover with plastic wrap and then a damp towel and let it rise until it has doubled (about 30-60 min.)

Punch down risen dough and knead for a few minutes again. Divide dough into 2 sections and shape to desired size. Place in oiled bread pans and lightly oil top of loaf. Cover again with wax paper of plastic wrap and towel until doubled in size one more time (about 30 min.)

Preheat oven 375. Bake 30-40 min or until loaves sound hollow when tapped. If you are using bread pans, remove from pans immediately so the crust can crispen. Now if you can keep everyone away from this delicious bread for about 10 minutes to let it slightly cool it will slice easier.

Comments

[themenow.livejournal.com]

Yum! I'll have to get some loaf pans this weekend maybe. I'll check the thrift stores first to see if they have any. I love bread. I just love it. Especially warm bread.

Thanks for posting this!