My favorite bread recipe
This is such a simple recipe and always turns out great! It is adapted from a recipe I found in a magazine. I can never seem to leave a recipe alone!
6 3/4 tsp yeast
5 cups warm water
2/3 cup honey plus 1 T.
2/3 cup vegetable or canola oil
2 tsp sea salt
6 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup wheat germ
4-6 cups bread flour
Disolve yeast in 3/4 cup warm water with the 1 Tablespoon honey. Let sit about 10 minutes until foamy. Add with remaining ingredients into mixer ( I have to split this into 2 batches in my kitchen aide mixer). Add enough flour until it forms into a soft ball, it will be slightly sticky. Knead for 6-8 minutes in mixer or by hand. Place in a large bowl coated with oil, cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. Punch dough down. Shape into 4 loaves. This is where you can get creative. We will often make 2 into cinnamon sugar loaves by rolling out and spreading with butter, brown sugar and cinnamon and rolling up jelly roll style. I also have added raisins at this point to the dough.
Place 1/4 of dough into each bread pan or shaped onto a baking sheet. Cover and let rise until nearly doubled, about 30 minutes.
Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. If you are unsure if the loaf is done, remove from the pan and tap the bottom. You should here a hollow sound. Remove from pans and let cool on wire racks.
