Whole Wheat Bread Success

In an earlier post, I mentioned that I have finally found a recipe for whole wheat bread that Michael loves... I have tried for years and years to get the "right" recipe, with little success. But this is good enough to have Michael considering getting me a mixer so that I can make it all the time (which I would!), so it must be pretty good ;-) Heather and Manda asked for the recipe, so I am happy to share! I actually got it from another friend, Jennifer, and she says its from Bread Beckers. She used it to make rolls one night when we came to visit, and they were so yummy! So the recipe is versatile, it can be used to make bread loaves or rolls... I'll share both directions!

I will say, however, that I had difficulty making rolls with it. The dough wasn't "formed" enough for me to shape well, even after rising... so I just spooned it into the bread loaf pans instead... but the result was just as warm and yummy. Since I don't yet have a mixer and I had to knead it by hand, I don't know what affect that played on the consistency of the dough and how it might be different with a mixer. Either way, we loved it! We made it as basic as possible - we did not include the egg, lecithin or gluten... just water, yeast, honey, flour and salt. So simple!!

2 cups hot water

1/2 cup oil (1/3 cup if using egg)

1/2 cup honey

3 1/2 tsp. instant yeast

1 egg (optional)

5 cups freshly milled flour (I use King Arthur Whole Wheat flour)

2 tsp. salt

1-2 Tbsp. lecithin (optional)

1/2 tsp. gluten (optional)

Combine water, oil, and honey. Add 3 cups of flour, yeast, salt, lecithin, and gluten. Mix thoroughly. Add the remaining flour and knead until smooth and elastic (about 10 min.). Let rise until double. Shape into loaves or rolls, place in greased pans, and let rise again. Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 min. Makes two 1 1/2 lb. loaves.

For dinner rolls: The dough for one loaf makes about 10 nice size rolls. To form: divide dough into balls and roll into ropes. Tie ropes into knots. Place on greased cookie sheet. Let rise about 45 minutes. Bake at 400 degrees for 9-10 minutes.