Print

Easy Homemade Whole Wheat Bread: Soft and Hearty Loaf

Close-up of a freshly baked loaf of soft whole wheat bread with one slice cut, revealing the dense crumb.
Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Bake a soft, hearty whole wheat bread loaf at home using simple ingredients. This recipe is perfect for beginners and yields delicious bread for sandwiches or toast.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup warm water (105-115 degrees F)
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 3 cups whole wheat flour, plus more for dusting
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast in the warm water. Let it sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
  2. Stir in the honey, softened butter, and salt into the yeast mixture.
  3. Gradually add the whole wheat flour, mixing until a shaggy dough forms.
  4. Add the all-purpose flour and mix until the dough comes together.
  5. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for 8 to 10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. You want a soft, manageable dough.
  6. Lightly grease a large bowl. Place the dough in the bowl, turning once to coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel.
  7. Let the dough rise in a warm place for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until doubled in size. This long rise time develops great flavor.
  8. Gently punch down the dough. Shape it into a loaf and place it in a greased 9×5 inch loaf pan.
  9. Cover the pan loosely and let the dough rise again for 30 to 45 minutes, or until it has crowned about 1 inch above the rim of the pan.
  10. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) about 15 minutes before the second rise finishes.
  11. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 200 degrees F.
  12. Remove the bread from the pan immediately and let it cool completely on a wire rack before slicing.

Notes

  • For a softer crust, brush the top of the loaf with melted butter immediately after taking it out of the oven.
  • If you want a slightly sweeter loaf, increase the honey to 1/3 cup. This is a great tip for making honey whole wheat bread.
  • If your kitchen is cold, place the dough in your oven with just the light on to create a warm spot for rising.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://tastytipster.com/whole-wheat-bread-amazing-1-loaf-soft/