Recipe of the Month - December 2012

Whole Wheat Bread (without a bread machine)

The holiday break is a great opportunity to test out some new recipes! Try this simple whole wheat bread recipe that doesn’t require a bread machine!

Makes 2 loves (24 servings)
Ingredients:

2 cups warm water (100 degrees F)
1 ¼ package (little more than half) of active dry yeast
3 Tbsp. and 1 ¾ tsp. honey
3 1/3 cup bread flour
2 Tbsp. butter, melted
3 Tbsp. and 1 ¾ tsp. honey
2 tsp. salt
2 1/3 cups whole wheat flour
1 Tbsp. and 1 tsp. butter, melted

Directions:

In a large bowl, mix warm water, yeast and 3 Tbsp. and 1 ¾ tsp. honey. Add 3 1/3 cup bread flour, and stir to combine. Let set for 30 minutes, or until big and bubbly.
Mix in 2 Tbsp. melted butter, 3 Tbsp. and 1 ¾ tsp. honey, and salt. Stir in 2 cups of whole wheat flour. Flour a flat surface and knead with whole wheat flour until not really sticky. This may take an additional 2-4 cups of whole wheat flour. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to coat the surface of the dough. Cover with a dishtowel. Let rise in a warm place until doubled.
Punch down, and divide into 2 loaves. Place in greased 9 x 5 inch loaf pans, and allow to rise until dough has topped the pans by one inch.
Bake at 350 degrees F for 25-30 minutes; do not over bake. Brush the tops of loaves with 1 Tbsp. and 1 tsp. melted butter or margarine when done to prevent crust from getting hard. Cool completely.

Recipe from AllRecipes.com, Simple Whole Wheat Bread; available at http://allrecipes.com/recipe/simple-whole-wheat-bread/?scale=24&ismetric=0

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