Welcome to the delightful world of homemade bread! 🍞 Today, we’re diving into the secrets of crafting a wholesome Whole Wheat Batter Bread that will fill your kitchen with a warm, inviting aroma. This recipe, straight from lovewithrecipes.com, promises not just a loaf but TWO loaves of goodness. It’s a journey worth taking, and with a prep time of just 40 minutes, you’ll soon be savoring the fruits of your labor. 🕰️
Let’s gather our ingredients and embark on this culinary adventure:
Ingredients:
- 8 cups whole wheat flour
- 4 tablespoons honey-molasses
- 3 tablespoons wheat germ
- 3 1/2 cups water (very warm)
- 3 teaspoons salt
Instructions:
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Preheat the Stage: Begin by setting the stage – preheat your oven to its lowest setting and place the flour in it. We want that flour to be cozy and warm.
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Activate the Yeast Magic: In a VERY large bowl, work your yeast sorcery by dissolving 3 packages of yeast in 3/4 cup of very warm water. Make sure it’s feeling the warmth. To this, add the honey-molasses for that touch of sweetness that elevates the bread.
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Prepare the Pans: Coat your loaf pans generously with margarine and a dusting of flour, ensuring the bread won’t stick to its home. We want it to slide out effortlessly.
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Blend the Elements: Into the yeast concoction, introduce 2-1/2 cups warm water, 2 tablespoons of salt, and a drizzle of oil. Now, add about 4 cups of the flour mixture and let the beating at medium speed commence for a glorious 2 minutes.
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Gradual Flour Flourish: Gradually sprinkle more flour into the bowl, continuing the beating ritual. The dough should be sticky, a bit rebellious but not runny. If it’s straying too far, rein it in with more flour.
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Pan & Rise: Transfer this sticky masterpiece into your prepared pans, smoothing the top and ensuring every nook and cranny is filled. Cover it with a hot, wet towel and let it rise in a cozy, warm spot. Keep an eye on it, we want the rise, but not an escape over the pan’s edge.
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The Waiting Game: About 20 minutes into the rise, start checking regularly. When the dough has risen ALMOST to the lip of the pan, it’s showtime!
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Bake to Perfection: Preheat your oven to a toasty 450 degrees. Slide those pans in and let the alchemy happen for about 40 minutes. The aroma will tease your senses, and the anticipation will be worth it.
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Unveiling the Goodness: As soon as it’s done baking, gently coax the bread out of its pan and onto a cooling rack. Let it cool, but we know patience is hard when the aroma is beckoning.
And there you have it – a duo of Whole Wheat Batter Breads, boasting a nutty whole wheat flavor, a hint of sweetness from honey-molasses, and a wholesome goodness that only homemade bread can provide. 🌾🍯
This recipe is versatile too! If one loaf is more your speed, simply tweak the yeast quantity and halve the other ingredients. Feeling rebellious? Skip the wheat germ and soya flour – the bread will still be a star.
So, tie your apron, dust off that mixing bowl, and let the symphony of ingredients create a melody of flavors that will make your kitchen the heart of your home. Happy baking! 🎉👩🍳