Baking at home has always been a popular activity, with cookies, cakes, and muffins being some of the most loved baked goods.
However, in recent times, there has been a growing demand for healthier options.
As a result, people are turning towards healthier alternatives, and one of the top emerging trends is home-baked bread.
If you’re wondering what the most popular thing to bake at home is, we recommend trying this simple whole wheat bread recipe.
It’s a great way to expand your baking repertoire while also creating a delicious and healthy treat.
Here’s What You’ll Need for This Popular Recipe to Bake at Home
- 6 cups whole wheat flour.
- ½ cup honey or maple syrup.
- ½ cup milk.
- 1 ½ cups water.
- 2 teaspoons salt.
- 2 tablespoons dry yeast.
- 6 tablespoons olive oil.
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice.
You can use honey or maple syrup in this recipe to add a light sweetness to the bread.
Honey is the traditional option, while maple syrup is a little more experimental. Both add amazing flavor.
Cooking Directions
This recipe is perfect for a beginner, and you’ll learn a lot about bread-making.
- Start by combining all of the ingredients in a bowl. Make sure your water and milk are at room temperature, no hotter than 110°F.
- Mix using your hands or a silicone spatula or spoon until all of the ingredients are well combined. Your hands are best, as you’ll be able to work all of the ingredients together.
- When well combined, cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel. Let the dough sit for at least ten minutes until it starts to rise.
- When the dough has increased in size, you can start the kneading process. Use some wheat flour to coat a pastry board or a clean countertop. Turn the dough and knead it into the surface continuously for up to ten minutes. It should be completely smooth by the time you’re done. Add more flour to the surface as necessary to prevent sticking.
- There’s still time needed for the yeast to continue working. Form the dough into a ball and put it into a bowl greased with vegetable oil. Let it rest for up to an hour. It should double in size.
- Take the doubled dough on your counter and pound it with your fist to remove any air pockets. Halve the dough and shape it to fit your bread pans. This recipe is good for two medium loaves.
- Coat your pans in oil or butter and sprinkle some wheat flour inside to prevent sticking. Place the dough in your pans, and let it expand to fill them.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F for this tasty whole wheat loaf. When the loaves have filled out the pans, carefully place them in the oven and bake for 30 minutes.
- You can test the loaves in the center by pushing a wooden skewer inside. It should come out free of any sticky dough.
Rest your bread until it’s cool before slicing and serving.
This bread is delicious with butter on its own, or you can make gourmet sandwiches with your favorite sweet or savory toppings.
Consider Investing in a Stand Mixer for Regular Baking
Baking bread at home is a popular pastime that provides the satisfaction of creating something from scratch and the joy of enjoying the delicious, fresh-baked aroma that fills your home.
With homemade bread, you can always have a supply of fresh whole wheat slices on hand any day of the week.
However, baking bread requires time and effort, especially when it comes to kneading the dough.
This is where investing in a stand mixer can be a game-changer. A
stand mixer can save time and reduce the amount of effort you’ll need to put in, making the process of baking bread a lot more manageable.
With serviceable parts and outstanding construction quality, this mixer has the potential to last a lifetime.
Moreover, it can also be used to mix other dough and batter-based recipes, as well as frosting and liquids.
That being said, if you prefer to knead your bread by hand, that’s perfectly fine too.
Our simple whole wheat bread recipe is a classic that’s sure to become a staple in your home, regardless of how you choose to knead it.
So go ahead, indulge your senses and treat yourself to the satisfaction of baking fresh, homemade bread.
