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Soft & Fluffy Honey Whole Wheat Sandwich Bread (Beginner Friendly)

A half loaf of homemade whole wheat bread with a golden-brown crust, showing a soft, textured crumb.
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Bake a soft, fluffy loaf of 100 percent whole wheat bread at home. This easy recipe uses honey for a touch of sweetness and is perfect for beginners making wholesome sandwich bread.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup warm water (105-115°F)
  • 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 3 cups whole wheat flour
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (plus more for dusting)

Instructions

  1. Combine the warm water and yeast in a large bowl. Let it sit for 5 minutes until foamy. This confirms your yeast is active.
  2. Stir in the honey, melted butter, and salt into the yeast mixture.
  3. Add the whole wheat flour gradually, mixing until a shaggy dough forms.
  4. Add the all-purpose flour one tablespoon at a time until the dough comes together and is slightly tacky but not sticky. You may not need all the flour.
  5. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for 5 to 7 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. For soft bread, avoid adding too much extra flour during kneading.
  6. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turning once to coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel.
  7. Let the dough rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until it has doubled in size. This slow rise builds flavor.
  8. Gently punch down the risen dough. Shape it into a uniform loaf and place it into a greased 9×5 inch loaf pan.
  9. Cover the pan loosely and let the dough rise again (the second proof) for 30 to 45 minutes, or until the dough crests about 1 inch above the rim of the pan.
  10. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) during the last 15 minutes of the second rise.
  11. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 190°F (88°C).
  12. Remove the bread from the pan immediately and cool completely on a wire rack before slicing. This prevents a gummy texture.

Notes

  • For a richer flavor, substitute 1/4 cup of the whole wheat flour with bread flour.
  • If you want a seeded loaf, gently press 1/4 cup of sunflower or flax seeds onto the top of the dough just before the second rise.
  • To check if the bread is done without a thermometer, tap the bottom; it should sound hollow.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://mayaplate.com/whole-wheat-bread-soft-fluffy-recipe/