Whole wheat bread requires 4 processes to be successfully made, namely mixing, kneading, rising and baking. All these processes can be done by hand, using a mixer, a bread machine or using a food processor.
You can make whole wheat breads can be made from 100% whole wheat flour or mixed with other types of flour, like white flour. Regardless of the ingredients and additional materials you use, make sure you follow the steps carefully to get the best results.
Whole Wheat Bread Ingredients
- Flour
- salt
- wheat gluten
- yeast
- granulated sugar
- salt
- warm water
- ice water
- oil
- lecithin
About the Mixing Process
For this recipe, we’ll be using a food processor, since we can easily throw in all the ingredients, saving much needed time energy.
Mix together all the dry ingredients of flour, salt, vital wheat gluten, yeast, sugar and salt into the bowl.
You can yeast-proof by dissolving it in 1/2 cup of warm water, together with a pinch of sugar. Add it to the liquid ingredients. This will help shave off 30 minutes from the rising process.
Add the lecithin and oil after all dry ingredients are mixed. Add about 1 cup of ice water.
The Kneading Process
The kneading process is the most important part of the whole bread making process. You’ll want to make sure you do enough kneading, avoid using too much flour or water and develop the gluten properly in the wheat.
To check if you have the right amount of flour and water, wet your hand with water, put it inside the dough, then squeeze. The dough shouldn’t resist your touch or strain the finger muscles. Also, it shouldn’t feel or look runny or waterlogged.
You’ll know you’ve kneaded your dough well when it doesn’t stick to the bowl or pot (thanks to the gluten content!).
The Rising Process
Place your dough inside a 4-quart pot and cover with a lid. Make sure the dough stays warm for about 2 hours or up to the time it has doubled its size. You’ll know rising is done, when you stick your fingers into the dough and it does not rise. After the second rising, put the loaf inside the bread pan.
Baking the Bread
Preheat your oven 400 degrees F. Transfer the loaf slowly into the oven. Bake for about 45 minutes.
Use a thermometer to ensure that you have the right heat. Once the baking is done, take the bread out then let cool in a rack, covered with a towel.
After the cooling process, slice the loaf of bread and eat! Plus, you can feast your eyes on the gorgeous texture of your sliced bread. #worthit
