Best Whole Wheat Bread Recipe – Make the Perfect Loaf at Home
Welcome to Love With Recipes, where we bring you wholesome recipes crafted with love! This Best Whole Wheat Bread recipe is a time-tested classic that yields five flavorful, hearty loaves perfect for feeding a crowd. Follow our step-by-step instructions to achieve bakery-quality bread in the comfort of your kitchen.
Recipe Details
| Name | Best Whole Wheat Bread |
|---|---|
| Cook Time | 6 hours |
| Prep Time | 45 minutes |
| Total Time | 6 hours 45 minutes |
| Description | A wholesome, hearty whole wheat bread recipe perfect for large gatherings, brought to you by Love With Recipes. |
| Category | Yeast Breads |
| Keywords | Breads, For Large Groups, Oven |
| Servings | 75 |
| Yield | 5 loaves |
Nutritional Information
| Calories | 141.9 per slice |
|---|---|
| Fat Content | 3g |
| Saturated Fat Content | 0.9g |
| Cholesterol Content | 3.6mg |
| Sodium Content | 201.4mg |
| Carbohydrate Content | 25.9g |
| Fiber Content | 3.6g |
| Sugar Content | 3.4g |
| Protein Content | 4.9g |
Ingredients
| Quantity | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 8 cups | Milk |
| 1/2 cup | Honey |
| 2/3 cup | Warm water |
| 3 tablespoons | Sugar |
| 1 cup | Olive oil |
| 1/2 cup | Molasses |
| 1/2 tablespoon | Salt |
| 2 tablespoons | Vital wheat gluten |
| 3/4 cup | Whole wheat flour (plus 18–20 cups additional) |
Instructions
| Step | Instructions |
|---|---|
| 1 | Scald the Milk: Heat the milk in a large pot until it just begins to steam. Do not boil. |
| 2 | Add Honey: Remove the milk from the heat and stir in the honey until fully dissolved. Allow it to cool to room temperature. |
| 3 | Activate Yeast: In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in the warm water with 1 tablespoon of sugar. Let it sit until bubbly, about 10 minutes. |
| 4 | Combine Wet Ingredients: Once the milk mixture has cooled, pour it into a large mixing bowl. Add the activated yeast mixture. |
| 5 | Mix Dry Ingredients: Gradually stir in the salt, olive oil, molasses, vital wheat gluten, and 3–4 cups of whole wheat flour. |
| 6 | Incorporate Flour: Slowly add the remaining whole wheat flour, 1 cup at a time, until a stiff dough forms. |
| 7 | Knead the Dough: Knead the dough vigorously for at least 15 minutes, either by hand or using a stand mixer with a dough hook. |
| 8 | First Rise: Place the dough in a large greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise until doubled in size, approximately 1.5–2 hours. |
| 9 | Shape the Loaves: Punch down the dough to release air. Divide it into five equal portions and shape each portion into a loaf. |
| 10 | Second Rise: Place the loaves in greased bread pans and let them rise again until doubled in size, about 1.5–2 hours. |
| 11 | Bake: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the loaves for 30 minutes. |
| 12 | Finish Baking: Cover the loaves with aluminum foil to prevent over-browning and bake for an additional 10 minutes. |
| 13 | Cool: Remove the loaves from the oven and let them cool completely on wire racks before slicing. |
| 14 | Optional Additions: For extra texture and flavor, consider adding soaked cracked wheat, oats, or seeds to the dough during mixing. |
Tips for Success
- Perfect Temperature: Ensure the milk is cooled to room temperature before combining with the yeast mixture to avoid killing the yeast.
- Fresh Ingredients: Use fresh, high-quality yeast for optimal rise.
- Kneading: Proper kneading ensures a strong gluten structure for the perfect texture.
- Variations: Experiment with add-ins like nuts, seeds, or dried fruit for a personalized touch.
This Best Whole Wheat Bread recipe is not only delicious but also a fantastic way to connect with the tradition of homemade baking. Share it with family and friends and create lasting memories, one slice at a time. Let us know how your bread turns out in the comments below!
