Rise and Shine: The Perfect Whole Wheat Brown Bread Recipe

Ingredients:

• 3 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 1/2 tsp. instant yeast
• 1 tbsp. honey or sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp. salt
• 2 tbsp. vegetable oil
• 1 1/2 cups warm water

Instructions:

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, yeast, honey or sugar, and salt.

Add the vegetable oil and warm water to the bowl, and stir until the dough comes together.

Knead the dough on a floured surface for 10-12 minutes, until it is smooth and elastic.

Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours, or until it has doubled in size.

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Punch down the dough and shape it into a loaf. Place it in a greased loaf pan.

Cover the loaf with a clean towel and let it rise for an additional 20-30 minutes.

Use a sharp knife to make a few shallow slashes across the top of the loaf.

Bake the bread in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until it is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped.

Let the bread cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.

Enjoy your delicious homemade brown bread!

Pro Tips: 

Use good quality flour: Use high-quality whole wheat flour that is fresh and free from any impurities.

Add some all-purpose flour: Adding a small amount of all-purpose flour to the whole wheat flour will help to improve the texture and rise of the bread.

Use warm water: Use warm water in the dough instead of cold water as this will help to activate the yeast and encourage the bread to rise.

Knead the dough well: Kneading the dough for at least 10-15 minutes will help to develop gluten and give the bread a better texture.

Let the dough rise properly: Allow the dough to rise in a warm, draft-free place for at least 1-2 hours until it has doubled in size.

Use a bread pan: Use a bread pan to bake the bread. This will help to give it a nice shape and prevent it from spreading out too much during baking.

Brush with egg wash: Brushing the top of the bread with an egg wash before baking will give it a nice golden brown color and a shiny crust.

Let the bread cool completely: Allow the bread to cool completely on a wire rack before slicing. This will prevent it from becoming gummy or soggy.