50% Whole Wheat Bread

KLV's Note:

This is our "everyday" lunch bread. I make it every night for the next day. I originally got it from the Oster bread machine recipe book but I adapted it somewhat. The 100% whole wheat recipe was just too heavy for our family. It makes a 2 lb loaf. Once I started making this bread, I couldn't go back to store bought!

• Total Time: 3 hrs 5 mins
• Prep Time: 5 mins
• Cook Time: 3 hrs

Ingredients:

Yield: 1 large l ...

• 1 1/2 cups water
• 2 1/2 tablespoons margarine
• 2 tablespoons molasses (or honey)
• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 2 cups all-purpose flour or 2 cups bread flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons yeast

Directions:

1. Put the ingredients into the bread machine pan in the order listed (and as accurately as possible).
2. Select the whole wheat bread cycle (usually takes 3 1/2 hours).
3. Remove from the pan when it's done and let cool for 15 minutes before slicing.
4. During the summer I reduce the yeast to 1 tsp because it seems to rise so much more during the summer than the winter. Or you could increase the salt slightly (salt kills the yeast so it doesn't rise out of the machine!) So if you're getting a really huge loaf (and some of you have) try one of these 2 things and it should be better for you. For some reason atmospheric pressure (which varies according to seasons) makes a difference in how a bread rises. Enjoy!
5. Thanks for all your great reviews! Another thing I've been doing to make this even healthier is adding 2 tablespoons of ground flax seed with the flour. It doesn't really change the flavour but adds some good for you omega 3s!

Reviews

[Buck Cullison]

Followed this recipe , using the honey and it is a great loaf of bread, excellent texture and taste.

[CookbookCarrie]

I LOVE this recipe. I have started using this instead of buying store bread. My kids both love it and so does my picky husband. I use the honey version as I dont like the taste of molasses. I recommend it for anyone with a bread machine they dont use. This recipe will also scale down to a one pound loaf and turns out just right!!!

[boater 1938]

Good bread, toasts well. Scaled recipe up to 1-1/2, and used the dough cycle. First rise in oiled bowl, puched down, & divded into 2 loaf pans, let rise again, and baked at 350 for 30 min. Will definetly use this recipe again.