Honey Wheat Bread

In honor of the inauguration I'm tempted to call this Obama bread! But we'll keep it Honey Wheat Bread because that's what it is. This is another step in my trying to use more whole wheat flour, replacing or supplementing white all-purpose. I've already posted my normal white flour bread from The Hungry Mouse, which is also really good! But I think this one is even better.

I got this whole wheat recipe from Allrecipes.com, where it's called Simple Whole Wheat Bread. And has 1,191 reviews! That's a lot.

Also, except for the speech I've had the inauguration on mute because I'm watching Wartime Farm from the BBC on YouTube! Check it out. Especially if you graduated with a history degree and haven't done anything much with it since...

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HONEY WHEAT BREAD

3 cups warm water

2 packages active dry yeast

1/3 cup honey

5 cups bread flour (I used all-purpose)

3 tbsp butter, melted

1/3 cup honey

1 tbsp salt (this seems like a lot! I guess it is for three loaves though.)

2 cups whole wheat flour plus about 1 1/2 cups more for kneading

2 tbsp butter, melted (I added a tsp of honey)

1. In a large bowl, mix warm water, yeast, and 1/3 cup honey. Add 5 cups white bread flour, and stir to combine. Let set for 30 minutes, or until big and bubbly.
2. Mix in 3 tablespoons melted butter, 1/3 cup honey, and salt. Stir in 2 cups whole wheat flour. Flour a flat surface and knead with whole wheat flour until not real sticky - just pulling away from the counter, but still sticky to touch. (Or you can knead until it feels smooth - that's normally what bread recipes recommend, so that's what I do.) This may take an additional 2 to 4 cups of whole wheat flour. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to coat the surface of the dough. Cover with a dishtowel. Let rise in a warm place until doubled. (I always use the oven so it's out of the way and warmer than room temp.)
3. Punch down, and divide into 3 loaves. Place in greased 9 x 5 inch loaf pans, and allow to rise until dough has topped the pans by one inch. (I brushed with melted butter and honey at this point. It works for Honey Buttermilk Dinner Rolls, it works for this.)
4. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 25 to 30 minutes; do not overbake. Lightly brush the tops of loaves with 2 tablespoons melted butter or margarine when done to prevent crust from getting hard. (I had already done this so skipped this step. No problem with hard crust.) Cool completely before slicing (hard but important!).