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Whole Wheat Bread (Soft & Hearty)

Whole Wheat Bread (Soft & Hearty)

This Whole Wheat Bread is soft yet hearty, made with just 8 simple ingredients for a flavorful homemade alternative to store-bought bread.
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Prep Time 4 hours 30 minutes
Cook Time 38 minutes
Total Time 5 hours 10 minutes
Course bread
Cuisine American
Servings 12 slices
Calories 130 kcal

Equipment

  • Stand Mixer
  • large glass mixing bowl
  • Rolling pin
  • 9×5-inch loaf pan
  • Pastry brush
  • instant-read thermometer
  • wire cooling rack

Ingredients
  

Sponge

  • 1 cup water warmed to about 110°F (43°C)
  • ⅓ cup whole milk warmed to about 110°F (43°C)
  • 2 and ¼ teaspoons active dry or instant yeast (1 standard packet)
  • 2 cups whole wheat flour [spooned & leveled](https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/how-to-measure-baking-ingredients/)

Dough

  • 3 Tablespoons honey
  • 3 Tablespoons unsalted butter [softened to room temperature](https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/room-temperature-butter/)
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice (or apple cider vinegar)
  • 1 and ⅓ cups whole wheat flour [spooned & leveled](https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/how-to-measure-baking-ingredients/), plus more as needed
  • 1 and ¼ teaspoons salt
  • 1 beaten egg white optional oat topping
  • 1 Tablespoon whole oats optional oat topping

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Prepare the sponge: In a large bowl or the bowl of your stand mixer, whisk the water, whole milk, and yeast together. Add the 2 cups (260g) flour and stir with a spatula or wooden spoon until a thick batter forms. Cover lightly and allow to double in size at room temperature, about 60–90 minutes.
  • Add the remaining dough ingredients including the honey, butter, lemon juice, remaining flour, and the salt. Beat on medium speed or mix until the dough comes together and pulls away from the sides of the bowl, about 3 minutes.
  • Knead the dough for an additional 8–10 full minutes until the dough is soft and slightly tacky.
  • Lightly grease a large bowl with oil or nonstick spray. Place the dough in the bowl, cover, and allow to rise for 1.5–2 hours or until about double in size.
  • Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
  • Shape the dough: Punch it down, then roll the dough out and place in the loaf pan.
  • Cover shaped loaf and allow to rise until it’s about 1 inch above the top of the loaf pan, about 45–60 minutes.
  • Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C) and adjust oven rack to a lower position.
  • Optional oat topping: Brush with egg white and sprinkle oats on top before baking.
  • Bake for 36–40 minutes, or until golden brown on top. Allow to cool before slicing.
  • Cover leftover bread tightly and store at room temperature for up to 1 week.

Notes

For freezing instructions, follow the guidelines in the notes section of the original recipe. You can refrigerate for overnight rise as well.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 130kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 4gFat: 1.5gSaturated Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 5mgSodium: 150mgPotassium: 120mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gCalcium: 2mgIron: 6mg
Keyword baking, hearty bread, Homemade Bread, sandwich bread, soft bread, whole wheat bread
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