Nothing is quite as nice as the smell and taste of freshly baked whole wheat bread. This recipe makes two loaves of great tasting bread. Try the option of refrigerating overnight to allow the yeast to mellow and develop a more complex flavor to the bread.
Instructions
1. Put the yeast, water and flour into your mixer. Use 3 cups of the flour and add the yeast. Add 2 cups of room temperature water. Use a dough hook to mix the water with the flour for about 30 seconds. The yeast should be dissolved.
2. Add the remaining ingredients. First, add the salt, sugar and butter while continuing to mix. Then, add most of the flour, wheat gluten and dough conditioner. Mix at medium speed for at least 4 minutes to develop the gluten. Add more flour as needed. Dough should be soft to the touch.
3. Place the dough in a large greased bowl, turning once to coat all sides. Cover with a dishtowel or plastic wrap. Allow the dough to rise in a warm place until doubled in size, which usually takes about 45 minutes. You may also refrigerate the dough overnight and for up to 3 days before setting out to rise.
4. Punch the dough down when it has finished rising. You can also turn on your mixer and knead for a few minutes to get the air bubbles out.
5. Divide and shape into 2 loaves. Coat your hands with flour to keep them from sticking to the dough. Create a slightly stretched skin by gently pulling the dough around itself. Then put into bread pans that have been well greased with butter or cooking spray.
6. Allow the loaves to rise again, until they are about 1 inch above the sides of the bread pan. This should take about an hour to 90 minutes. The dough should double in size.
7. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the loaves in the top half of the oven with space between the pans so air can circulate around them. Bake for about 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown.
8. Remove the bread from the pans to cool on wire racks. Bread left in the pans will get soggy on the bottom. Brush the top of the loaves with melted butter to keep the crust from getting hard. Allow to cool completely.
Tags: about minutes, bread This, with flour, your mixer
