Simple Whole Wheat Bread

4.8
(2,568)

A great-tasting whole wheat bread recipe, easy to make with simple ingredients.

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A loaf of whole wheat bread on a cutting board, with two thick slices, served with butter
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Prep Time:
25 mins
Cook Time:
25 mins
Additional Time:
2 hrs
Total Time:
2 hrs 50 mins
Servings:
36
Yield:
3 loaves
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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 36 servings

  • 3 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)

  • 2 (.25 ounce) packages active dry yeast

  • cup honey, divided

  • 5 cups bread flour

  • 5 tablespoons butter, melted, divided

  • 1 tablespoon salt

  • 4 cups whole wheat flour, or more as needed

Directions

  1. Gather all ingredients.

    Ingredients to make simple whole wheat bread

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  2. Mix warm water, yeast, and 1/3 cup honey in a large bowl to dissolve.

    A glass bowl with water being poured into yeast, and honey

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  3. Add 5 cups bread flour, and stir to combine.

    A wooden spoon mixing bread flour into the bowl of yeast-water mixture

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  4. Let sit for 30 minutes, or until big and bubbly.

    A large glass bowl of expanded, bubbly dough

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  5. Mix in 3 tablespoons melted butter, remaining 1/3 cup honey, and salt. Stir in 2 cups whole wheat flour.

    A wood spoon stirring in whole wheat flour, melted butter, honey, and salt into the dough

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  6. Transfer dough to a floured work surface and gradually knead in remaining 2 cups whole wheat flour.

    Hands working in whole wheat flour into dough on a marble surface

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  7. Knead until dough starts to pull away from the work surface, adding more whole wheat flour if necessary; dough should be a bit tacky to the touch, but not too sticky.

    Two hands kneading a round ball of dough on a marble surface

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  8. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to coat the surface of the dough.

    A large ball of dough in a greased glass bowl

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  9. Cover with a dish towel and let rise in a warm place until doubled, 45 minutes to 1 hour.

    A large glass bowl with risen dough

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  10. Grease three 9x5-inch loaf pans. Punch down the dough, and divide it into 3 loaves.

    Three equal loaves of dough on a marble surface

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  11. Place in the prepared loaf pans, and allow to rise until dough has topped the pans by one inch, another 45 minutes to 1 hour.

    Three loaf pans with three loaves of risen dough

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  12. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Bake the risen loaves in the preheated oven until golden brown for 25 to 30 minutes, do not overbake.

    Three baked loaves of dough in loaf pans, resting on a wire cooling rack

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  13. Lightly brush the tops of the loaves with remaining 2 tablespoons melted butter when done to prevent crust from getting hard.

    A pastry brush brushing melted butter onto a baked loaf of bread in a loaf pan

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  14. Cool completely. Enjoy!

    A loaf of whole wheat bread on a cutting board, with two thick slices, served with butter

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

4,113 home cooks made it!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

134 Calories
2g Fat
26g Carbs
4g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 36
Calories 134
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 2g 3%
Saturated Fat 1g 6%
Cholesterol 4mg 1%
Sodium 207mg 9%
Total Carbohydrate 26g 9%
Dietary Fiber 2g 7%
Total Sugars 5g
Protein 4g 8%
Calcium 8mg 1%
Iron 1mg 7%
Potassium 76mg 2%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.