Is there anything better than homemade bread? I don't think so. If you've never made it for your family, you MUST give it a try. They will love you for it!
We have been trying to limit the amount of preservatives that go into our bodies, so I have been trying to do more cooking from scratch.
Today, I tried my mother-in-law's recipe for Honey Wheat Bread, and I thought I would share it with you. It turned out great and makes two loaves-one for now and one for later.
If you have never made bread before, it can be a little intimidating, but I encourage you to give it a try. We have had quite a few laughs over the years at my sweet mother-in-law's stories of her bread making-trust me, dough really is quite forgiving.
I learned to make bread years ago in 4-H, so if a 13 year old can make it, so can you!
Grandma Mary's Honey Wheat Bread
1 c. milk
2 T. sugar
2 t. salt (recipe actually calls for 1 T. but that seems like way too much salt to me)
1/4 c. butter
1/2-3/4 c. honey (I used 3/4 c. local honey.)
1 1/2 c. warm water
2 pkg. yeast
2 1/2 c. all purpose flour
5 c. whole-wheat flour (not sifted)
Scald milk, add sugar, salt, butter, and honey. Stir to melt and cool to lukewarm. Dissolve yeast in warm water, then add to milk mixture. (Follow directions on the yeast package.)
Add white flour and 2 1/2 c. of whole wheat flour.
Beat until smooth.
Add rest of flour and knead for 10 minutes-great arm exercise!
Place in greased bowl and cover with a kitchen towel. Place in warm place to rise. (I put mine on top of my old pie safe.) Let rise until double.
Punch down and let rest for 5 minutes or so, then shape into two loaves and place in greased bread pans.
Let rise again and then bake at 400 degrees for 45 minutes. Watch them because mine were done after about 30. Let cool for a few minutes in the pan and then dump onto a cooling rack.
This video shows you how to knead dough if you have never done it before. It is very therapeutic.
Don't be scared. You can do this!
Your kitchen will smell heavenly and your family will shower you with thanks.
What is your favorite bread recipe? Any bread making stories out there? I'd love to hear all about them!
