Friday, August 7, 2009

Whole Wheat Bread

This is a special wheat bread recipe. For one thing, it comes from my Aunt Kathy, who is famous in our family for being absolutely incredible in the kitchen, so you know it's gotta be good. Plus, not only is it made from 100% whole wheat flour, but it's actually soft! It's not dense, heavy, brick-like, or anything like that. It has all the hearty flavor and chewy texture of a whole wheat loaf, but it's soft like a white bread. Best of both worlds!


Whole Wheat Bread
2 cups warm water
1/2 cup sugar
2 tbsp. yeast
1/2 cup shortening
1 tbsp. salt
5 1/2 cups whole wheat flour (or however much you can knead in, I usually can't get quite the whole amount in)

Add sugar to warm (not boiling) water, stir in yeast, and add shortening by spoonfuls to allow it to soften. Cover until yeast is dissolved. Add flour and salt, and knead for 5 minutes. Cover and allow to raise for 10 minutes, stir down (I couldn't stir mine, I punched it), and repeat two more times. Shape into two loaves, allow to rise in tins, and bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes, or until golden brown.


I'm so glad that I finally tried this recipe. It came with great reviews from my mom, who was thrilled that it wasn't dense like other whole wheat breads. And now I can add my rave reviews to hers - it was soft and delicious!
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14 comments:

  1. American HomemakerAugust 7, 2009 at 10:19 AM

    I've been wanting to try a good all whole wheat bread recipe, guess I should try this one :)

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  2. PatsykAugust 7, 2009 at 10:50 AM

    What a gorgeous loaf of bread! I really need to try making homemade bread myself.

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  3. bridget {bake at 350}August 7, 2009 at 5:23 PM

    That bread looks delicious! Is there anything better than the smell of homemade bread?!?

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  4. Welcome to the Garden of EganAugust 7, 2009 at 10:30 PM

    Yum! I love whole wheat bread. I make it all the time.

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  5. Katy ~August 8, 2009 at 5:42 AM

    Family recipes are close to my heart, and breadmaking just sings to me. This is a wonderful share. Thank you!!

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  6. Tina ButlerAugust 8, 2009 at 8:57 PM

    Looks beautiful. I cant wait to try this recipe, it does look very soft.

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  7. TiffaneyAugust 9, 2009 at 9:13 AM

    Hmmmmmm. The only bread I can make from scratch is your pizza dough recipe and I feel very, very homemakerish every time I make it. I usually use my bread machine for making loaves of bread, but maybe I'll try this recipe. It looks so, so very yummy.

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  8. MandyAugust 10, 2009 at 4:46 PM

    You did great! I'm inspired to try it, my husband loves homemade whole wheat bread

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  9. MarisaAugust 12, 2009 at 12:33 AM

    That bread looks amazing! I am impressed that it has all whole wheat and it's not dense--it looks airy and light. I'll for sure have to try this!

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  10. KimAugust 12, 2009 at 8:12 AM

    I've been looking for a whole wheat (soft) bread recipe. Glad you posted this! I've only made homemade bread in my bread machine. Any thoughts on making this in my bread machine?

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  11. StephanieAugust 12, 2009 at 9:13 AM

    Kim - I'm not really sure; I would test it out myself but our machine bit the dust a couple months ago so I can't. :-(

    Most machines have a limited capacity, mine would only do loaves with about 4 to 4 1/2 cups of flour, so I'm not sure if this recipe would fit. I would try using only half of the recipe, adding the ingredients in the order recommended by the machine manufacturers (in my machine it was liquids and fats followed by dry ingredients with yeast going in last) and then setting it to wheat setting if the machine has it, or just regular if not. Or dough setting if you prefer to shape your own loaves.

    I'm curious to see how it turns out, with the difference in rising times between this recipe and most bread machines. I'm sure it'll be fine. If you do try it, let me know how it goes! :-)

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  12. AnonymousAugust 13, 2009 at 10:34 AM

    I've been making my own bread for over a year now and have been looking for a good w/w recipe. I will definately try this.

    Susan

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  13. Tina ButlerAugust 14, 2009 at 9:39 AM

    Stephanie, I made your Aunt Kathys Wheat Bread yesterday. Super easy and super yummy. I cant believe how soft it was. I will blog about it really soon.

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  14. JennaNovember 2, 2012 at 11:32 AM

    I used this recipe and it came out wonderful! So delicious and soft! My husband keeps begging me to make more!! Thanks for the recipe!

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