How to Make Bread From Wheat

Gone are the days where households made their bread fresh daily. Now you can purchase it in stores, at bakeries, and even have an at-home electric bread maker do it for you. If you would like to make your own bread from wheat without any of this help, you can still do it if you have a little time and patience.

Things You'll Need

• Stove top to melt butter Large bowl and stirring spoon 3 cups hot water 2 packages active dry yeast, .25 ounce 1 1/2 cups honey (divided in half) 5 cups white bread flour, sifted 3 tablespoons butter, melted 1 tablespoon salt 3 1/2 cups whole wheat flour Cutting board Medium-sized bowl greased with butter or Pam spray Dish towel Two to three 9 x 5 bread loaf pans Oven 2 tablespoons butter, melted Basting brush (optional) nuts, raisins, honey or dried fruit

Instructions

1. Mix together the hot water, the yeast, and half of the honey thoroughly in a large bowl. Add five cups of the sifted white bread flour, then stir rigorously to combine. Set the bowl aside for about a half hour, until the dough is bubbling.

2. Take the bowl and add 3 tbsp. of the melted butter, the rest of the honey, and the salt. After combined, stir in only two cups of the whole wheat flour. If desired, this is the point where you can add in other things to the dough such as nuts, raisins or dried fruit.

3. Set the bowl aside. On a large flat surface such as a cutting board, sprinkle a generous amount of the wheat flour. Set the lump of bread dough on it, and begin to knead with your fists and fingers. You want to mix it thoroughly, but also knead it until it is only a little sticky. Continue adding more wheat flour until you get this result. Then set the lump of dough in a medium-sized bowl greased with butter or Pam spray, turning it over once to completely cover the outside of the dough with the grease. Cover the bowl with a dishtowel, then set in a warm place such as a pantry until the dough has risen (which means it will be about twice its regular size).

4. Remove the dough from the bowl, and divide it into two to three 9 x 5 inch loaf pans (depending on how large you'd like the wheat bread loaves to be). Use your fists to smash down the dough into each pan, then let it rise until it has gone up over the edges of the the loaf pans.

5. Add garnishes on top of the loaves if desired. You can drizzle honey over the top of the bread, or sprinkle oats, nuts or extra flour.

6. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit once you notice the dough has started to rise.

7. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 30 minutes. Once you have removed the pans from the oven, brush the tops of the loaves with 2 tbsp. of melted butter. Let cool.

References

• Whole Wheat Bread Recipe