Simple Whole Wheat Bread

Mmm I got this easy, healthy & delicious bread recipe from Becky last fall (she found it in a Nova Natural toy catalog.) She, along with a couple other friends, all encouraged me to make my own bread. Nothing like positive peer pressure! ;) I took the plunge in November and have been enjoying the process ever since.  It's really not that bad! And yes, you really do save money (I think David calculated how much-he's out back painting or I'd ask him!) And it doesn't take that much time to make (I don't grind my own wheat or anything like that-yet! ;) I make a double batch and freeze the loaves each time I bake, which is about once a month, though we've cut back on sandwiches! It's nice not having to worry about what preservatives are in my bread or if it has high fructose corn syrup added.  (Sigh of relief-especially now that Blaise is eating bread!) I can make it natural without spending $4 on an organic loaf too. Not too bad of a deal! 

Whole Wheat Bread

3 c. white wheat flour (TJ’s sells it)

or 2 c. whole wheat flour, 1 c. white

2 T butter

2 t salt

Mix flours and salt together. Work in butter by hand.

1 c. warm water (100-110 degrees)

2 ¼ t yeast

1 T honey (I am very generous with the honey-maybe add ¼ cup)

Dissolve honey in warm water and stir in yeast. When yeast is foamy (about 5 min), add it to flour.  Work dough into ball, using a spoon and then hands. Add more flour or water to make a sticky dough. When dough is formed, cover with a towel and leave in a warm place for 1-2 hours, until doubled in size.  Punch down and knead 3-5 minutes. Cover and let rise again for 1-2 hours.  Punch down dough and form a loaf. Place in pan and let rise, covered, 30-45 minutes.  Bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes until its golden and sounds hollow when tapped.  Turn out of pan and cool. We slice ours into thin, sandwich slices when cooled, then store in the freezer, taking out slices as needed.  (If it's not set out, I defrost a piece for about 1 min at 50% power level in the microwave.) 

Enjoy fresh out of the oven with some honey and butter-mmm! The ends are my favorite!