Homemade Whole Wheat Bread

Create two delicious and heart healthy bread loaves using freshly milled whole wheat mixed with all-purpose flour. The combination of flours creates the perfectly risen and fluffy bread, while the whole wheat provides all of the taste and nutrients.

Homemade Whole Wheat Bread Ingredients

• 2 cups water (200g)
• 4 teaspoons yeast (16g)
• 1/4 cup sugar (50g)
• 3 cups whole wheat flour (378g)
• 3 cups unbleached all-purpose flour (450g)
• 1 tablespoon salt (20g)
• 1 cup milk (210g)
• 1/4 cup oil (45g)

Tip: When I measured out this recipe using different measuring cup brands, I received different numbers of grams. If you want the most accurate measurements of this recipe, use a kitchen scale and measure in grams.

This is the kitchen scale I use ($25).

Whole Wheat Bread Instructions

1. In a medium sized mixing bowl or measuring cup, combine water, yeast, and sugar. Whisk until thoroughly dissolved. Let sit for 5 minutes or until the yeast mixture appears “foamy”.
   • 2 cups water (200g), 4 tsp yeast (16g), 1/4 cup sugar (50g)
2. Add salt, milk, and oil (I use avocado oil) to the yeast mixture. Whisk together and then add flour.
   • 1 tbsp salt (20g), 1/4 cup oil (45g), 1 cup milk (210g), and flour (828g – 378ww + 450ap)
3. Using a dough hook or your hands, gently knead in flour. Knead until completely smooth (10-15 minutes).
   • It is key that you allow the dough enough time to knead. Don’t add additional flour, even if it appears sticky at first.
4. Knead dough into a ball, place back into mixing bowl, and allow dough to rise for 1-2 hours (or until it has doubled in size). Place your dough in a warm area of your house and cover the top with a towel. 

5. Once dough has completed its bulk rise (first rise), remove the dough from the sides, cut the dough in half, and shape it into two rounded rectangle (roughly the shape of the bread pan). 

6. Place dough into two greased (butter or oil) bread loaf pan (I use Caraway, cast iron, glass, or ceramic), and allow to rise for an additional hour (until it reaches 3/4 top of the loaf pan). 
7. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
8. Once the bread dough has risen a second time, top lightly with an egg wash (1 egg + 1 teaspoon olive oil). 

9. Bake bread for 45 minutes.
10. Allow bread to sit for 3-5 minutes before removing it from the pan. Allow the bread loaf to cool for at least 15 minutes before cutting into it. NOTE: If you cut into a bread loaf that is too warm, it will collapse and “squish”. Bread needs time to finish setting up.