Very Basic Whole Wheat Sandwich Bread
This is an easy very very basic whole wheat sandwich bread. If you're looking for something simple and quick, this will do the trick.
Ingredients
- 2 c all purpose flour
- 1 1/3 c whole wheat flour
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 tsp sugar or honey
- 1 1/2 tsp active dry yeast
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tbsp butter
- 1 1/4 c warm water (about 110°F/45°C)
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer, add both flours and salt and mix. Then in another bowl or liquid measuring cup mix warm water, sugar and yeast. Let sit for 5 minutes to bloom yeast. (If you don't see it foaming at the top after 5 minutes you will need to start over with a brand new package of yeast. Throw out the package that didn't bloom, it's dead unfortunately.)
- Once yeast is bloomed add that to the flour mixture along with the Olive Oil. Mix well. You can let your stand mixer knead the dough for a few minutes or you can do it by hand. I find this recipe doesn't actually require a lot of kneading (although more kneading would make the texture of the bread better). If the dough seems too sticky, add a little bit more flour while kneading. Once you are done kneading, roll the dough into a smooth ball.
- Put a small amount of oil in a large bowl. Then place the dough in the bowl and turn dough to coat. Cover with plastic wrap or a damp cloth. Place in a warm spot to rise for about 1 hour.
- Once your dough has doubled in size, gently deflate it with your hand. Remove dough from the bowl and place on a flat surface. Gently shape into a square and then roll the dough into a rectangular shaped loaf. Place in a lightly greased bread pan seam side down. Use the same plastic wrap from earlier or a damp cloth to cover. (I like to to spray the underside of the plastic wrap with cooking spray so it doesn't stick to the pan and prevent the dough from rising).
- Place in a warm spot to rise for 45 min to 1 hour. I like to place mine in the oven with the light on.
- Once dough has risen about 1/4 in above the top of the bread pan, preheat oven to 375°F (if you placed bread in over to rise, remove it while oven is preheating).
- Once oven is done preheating, uncover dough and place in oven. Bake 50-55 minutes.
- Remove from oven and use pastry brush to coat the top of your loaf in butter (this will help soften the crust). Let bread cool for at least 1-2 hours before cutting into. Enjoy!!