Healthy Homemade Wheat Bread

 Have you ever looked at the ingredients on packaged bread? It's ridiculous the number of excess preservatives and additives that are thrown in to make it shelf stable. 

Bread is simple -- this recipe only has eight ingredients. It does take a little time, mostly just letting bread rise a few times, but if you're at home doing other things, it's pretty easy to mix up and let sit while you go about your weekend.

This is the first time I've ever made homemade wheat bread, and it turned out great. Beginners or pros, this recipe is for you!

4 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
1/2 cup honey
4 tablespoons butter and 1 tablespoons butter
2 1/4 cups warm water (110-120 degrees)
1 tablespoon salt
6 cups whole wheat flour, plus another possible 1/2 cup
1 cup quick cooking oats
1 whole egg, lightly beaten

1) In a microwave safe medium bowl combine 4 tablespoons butter and the honey. Microwave until the butter is melted. Add melted butter and honey to a large bowl.

  

2) Add warm water to the bowl.

 

3) Sprinkle the yeast on top of the water honey mixture and mix to combine. Let sit for 5-10 minutes.

 

4) In a different large bowl combine the salt and 3 cups whole wheat flour.  

5) Add the yeast mixture to the wheat flour mixture. Stir together until the liquid is absorbed (about 2 minutes). Be sure to scrape down the sides periodically.

6) Add the egg and one cup of whole wheat flour.  Blend together until the egg is incorporated, then stir for another 2 minutes.

7) Add the oats and 2 cups whole wheat flour.  Mix until it's smooth and elastic. Use your hands toward the end. Use up to one more cup of flour if needed to prevent the dough from being sticky.  I used an additional 1/2 cup flour.  

 

8) Place 1 tablespoon of butter in a large bowl and microwave for 30 seconds.  Add the dough to the warm bowl.  

 

9) Cover and let the dough rise in a warm location for about 1 hour or until double in size.  Punch the dough down and turn onto a floured surface.  

 

10) Cut the dough in half and shape each into a loaf.  Place the loaves in two  greased 9x5 inch loaf pans covered with a towel and let rise in a warm place for another hour.

 

11) Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 35 to 40 minutes.  Remove from oven and allow to cool on rack for 5 minutes before removing from pan. Allow to completely cool on cooling rack.