Honey Whole Wheat Bread

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You can find this post and more here

Is there anything more comforting than warm homemade bread? Not in this house.

I found this recipe some time ago for honey whole wheat bread and finally decided to try it. The whole process takes about 3-4 hours, but most of that time is waiting for the dough to rise and baking.

To make 2 loaves, you will need...

6 cups whole wheat flour, divided
1 ¾ cups warm water, divided

2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
1/3 cup honey

3 Tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon sea salt

flour and water

~In a large glass bowl, mix 3 cups of the flour with 1 ½ cups of warm water.  Set aside for 30 minutes.

~In a small bowl, combine yeast, honey and 1/4 cup warm water.  Set aside for about 10 minutes so that the yeast can activate and bubbles form.

~While you wait on the dough and the yeast, melt the butter and set aside to allow it to cool.

yeast mixture

~Add the salt, melted butter, and yeast mixture to the flour/water mixture.

~Gradually add the rest of the flour.

~Once it becomes difficult to stir the dough, lay it on some wax paper and knead with your hands. 

kneaded dough ready to rise

~Put the kneaded dough back in the glass bowl and cover it with a cloth to allow it to rise for about an hour.

~Meanwhile, get two bread pans buttered or lightly greased.

~After the dough has risen to about double its size, give it a good punch and then knead it for a few minutes.

~Shape the dough into 2 loaves. Then cover and allow them to rise for at least 30 more minutes.

~After they have risen to about double their size again, bake uncovered for about 40 minutes at 350*.

And there you have it - homemade honey whole wheat bread! We like to eat it warm and buttered with our dinner, but my all time favorite way to enjoy this bread -  

Avocado Grilled Cheese Sandwiches!!

ingredients:
2 slices honey whole wheat bread
spreadable butter
3 slices avocado
2 types of cheese (I used American and provolone)