Whole Wheat Bread

This is a wonderful whole wheat bread recipe I received from my friend. It's easy and takes very little work.

• Ready In: 3 hrs 30 mins
• Serves: 30
• Yields: 2 loaves

Ingredients

• 4  cups whole wheat flour
• 1 1⁄2 tablespoons  yeast
• 3  cups water (warmed in microwave until 110 to 125 degrees)
• 2⁄3 cup sugar
• 1  tablespoon salt
• 3  cups bread flour
• 1  tablespoon olive oil (optional)

Directions

1. In a KitchenAid (or any other mixer) put 4 cups whole wheat flour, 2 T yeast, 2/3 cups sugar and 3 cups warm water (between 110 and 125 degrees).
2. Mix with regular beater for 15 minutes.
3. Let sit for about 1 hour. It will rise and fall several times during this time.
4. Mix 1 T salt in to dough thoroughly.
5. Add the oil at this point if you are going to do it. The oil helps act as a preservative.
6. Using a dough hook, mix 3 cups bread flour for 10 minutes.
7. By the time this is done mixing it should
8. Remove from bowl.
9. Place on floured surface.
10. Knead for a couple minutes. Add a little flour if it still feels too sticky.
11. Cut in half.
12. Knead both halves until they are smooth.
13. Place each in pans sprayed with Pam.
14. Let rise for about an hour. It doesn't have to be in a warm place. I just put mine on top of my cold stove.
15. When they are finished rising, they will look like regular sized loaves.
16. Place in cold oven.
17. Turn oven to 350 degrees.
18. Cook for 30 minutes.
19. Take out and place on wire cooling rack. If you let them cool in the pan or on the counter, they will get a little soggy.
20. Cut and enjoy.