Whole-Wheat Sandwich Bread
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
A delicious loaf of bread that is easy to make.
Author:
Recipe type: Bread
Serves: 1 loaf
Ingredients
  • 2¼ tsp. (1 pkg.) active dry yeast
  • 1 tsp. sugar
  • 1 cup warm water (110 °F)
  • 2 TBSP. honey (or molasses)
  • 1 TBSP. olive oil
  • 1¾ cups whole-wheat flour
  • ¼ cup wheat germ
  • 1-1¼ cups bread flour (or regular AP flour)
  • 1 tsp. salt
Instructions
  1. In a measuring cup, dissolve yeast and sugar in water; let it stand until foamy, about 10 minutes. Stir in the honey (or molasses) and the olive oil.
  2. In a food processor fitted with a metal blade, mix the whole-wheat flour, the wheat germ, 1 cup of the bread flour, and salt until well combined. With the motor running, pour in yeast mixture in a slow, steady stream. When the dough forms a ball, stop the machine. The dough should be slightly sticky; if the dough is too wet, add some of the remaining flour, 1 tablespoon at a time. (Instead of a food processor, you can also use a stand mixer, equipped with a dough hook.) Shape the dough into a ball; turn over in a greased bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1½ hours.
  3. Preheat the oven to 400° F.
  4. Punch down the dough and knead it briefly on a floured board. Form into a smooth, 10-inch oblong loaf. Place the dough in a greased 10”x5” loaf pan. Let it rise again until almost doubled in size, about 45 minutes.
  5. In a small ball, beat an egg white and brush it lightly on the top of the loaf. Sprinkle with some sesame seeds, if you wish (this is optional). With a sharp knife, cut three, ½-inch-deep slashes on top of the loaf. This slashing is necessary to release some of the trapped gas, which can deform your bread. It also makes the top of your bread look pretty. (Yes, I did forget my slashes on this loaf!)
  6. Place a very small pan (like an 8” cake pan) filled with 1 cup of water in the corner of the lowest self in the oven. Slide the bread onto the middle rack of the oven and close the oven door. (The steam from the water in the small pan will keep the oven moist and allow the bread to rise some more, preventing it from forming a crust right away.)
  7. Bake the loaf for about 30-35 minutes, or, until the top is a deep golden brown. When you remove the loaf from the oven, you will hear it crackle for a while. In baking terms, this is called "singing" and it is exactly the sound you want to hear!
Notes
Different kinds of flour absorb more or less water. Adjust the flour quantity as necessary so as to have a dough that is easy to handle.
Recipe by Marilena's Kitchen at https://marilenaskitchen.com/whole-wheat-sandwich-bread/