This bread is a perfect sandwich bread. The crumb is nice and even and tight without being too dense. It is easy to slice to boot. I have messed around with this recipe a lot and have tried all sorts of combinations. It is really difficult to produce a good sandwich loaf at home using 100% whole wheat flour. This balance turns out a really good loaf. I have also discovered using white sugar instead of honey (or molasses, or brown sugar) makes for the most consistent crumb. Go figure.
1.5 c water
2 c bread flour
2.25 c whole wheat flour
2 T powdered milk
3 T white sugar
1.5 t salt
2 t yeast
2 T butter
I'm using a bread machine and this is the order in which I load my machine. Check your manual. I bake it on the regular bread setting with the light crust setting. If you don't have a bread machine... or have one that you've never used... hop to! It has made it possible for us to make bread frequently with little trouble. It takes a couple of minutes to load the machine and then we're done. I usually make our right after dinner. When it is done I take it out and let it cool then double bag it in gallon ziploc storage bags that are inverted into each other (I do not seal them!). The bread stays nice and fresh this way for a couple of days.
18 comments:
Hot damn! I've been meaning to ask you for a sandwich bread recipe. I do have a bread machine and just decided to start making my own bread after spending 10 minutes in the bread aisle at the grocery store looking for bread without HFCS...for less than $6.00 a loaf.
Thanks!!!
Oh YUM!
Can I use this exact same recipe without a bread machine?
I'm new to making breads so any helpful tips are welcomed. :)
Thanks!
Robin,
It is so easy. We make it about 3x a week. Each loaf is about $1.
Staci,
Here is the advice I found at King Arthur Four...
"Q. Can I make a bread machine recipe by hand?
A. You can easily convert bread machine recipes to “manual” recipes by reading the ingredients, then combining them the way you usually do. Dissolve the yeast in the liquid, add other “wet” ingredients (e.g., eggs, honey, butter), add the flour and other dry ingredients, knead, then knead in any “extras” (raisins, nuts, chocolate chips, etc.). Let the bread rise once in the bowl, then transfer it to a pan and let it rise again. Bake for about 30 minutes in a preheated 350°F oven. A bread machine recipe for a “large” machine, calling for 3 cups of all-purpose or bread flour or 4 cups of a whole-grain/all-purpose flour mix, will make a 1-lb. (8 1/2” x 4 1/2”) loaf."
This is fantastic. I need to make bread today. I make all my bread now, and have since summer/fall. I fell off the wagon this summer during the HELL of 16 hour days that was July, even 20 minutes for bread was too much.
I was messing with your earlier recipe and mine to get a good not too dense loaf. I shall try this one next! It looks nice and wheat-y too. Even my 'wheat' recipe doesn't seem very wheat... like or something.
YAY BREADMAKING. I love it to death.
Also my bread machine looks like R2D2 which only enhances the experience.
Okay...seems like a pain. :P (or I'm just too lazy...yeah, that's the one) LOL!
Any good bread machines out there that won't break the bank?
Thanks!
Staci,
do you have a stand mixer?
You can combine the water & yeast until dissolved (use warm tap water). Then put it all in you mixer and mix it & knead it that way. Let it rise once in the bowl take it out and rise it in the pans.
I got my breadmachine for free. Check Craiglist or garage sales.
Elizabeth,
If Mr F will eat it you know it's pretty good ;)
Oooo...that looks good. Making bread is on my Life List of Things to Do to Become a Better Human Being, and I'm allllllllmost there. A bread machine would make the leap easier... I already make pretzel rolls every few weeks, so I know I got the chops, I just need to prioritize!
I, too, was wondering if you had a bread machine or made it another way. I don't have a machine - booo
Christy,
Yes I have one. We got one for free when someone was moving. We didn't use it for about 5 years but are really glad we held onto it.
Haley,
I'm not sure it will make you a better person... but it will make you feel like a better person ;)
I'm heading to Craigslist right now...
Christy and Haley and anyone else wondering about bread machines.
I've bought two at goodwill and they were 5$ each (in different states no less) I see them there all the time.
Mine makes cylinder shaped bread, but I think it's cute.
I am SO trying this today. Thanks for the post!
Deb,
Good luck
Elizabeth,
Ooh the crazy round loaves!
Katy,
It turns out every time.
Elizabeth, I totally want the one that makes round loaves...I'm on a mission for that!!!
Mrs. F good recipe, I'll check out Goodwill this week, because like Robin I am over HFCS!!! Its in everything.
I'm going to try this out! I make a honey/oat bread in my machine, but it's not right for sandwiches...
Just curious how long does your bread last. I am keeping mine in the double bags and in our bread box..not sure if I should put in the fridge?
Thanks again.
Daisy Girl,
I don't know definitively because we go through a loaf every 2-3 days. It stays fine for at least 3 days on the counter. I have read at my different baking sites that storing bread in the fridge actually makes it go stale faster.
I had to come back and hunt this down, because my brand new bread maker (thank you, IRS, for holding my money for me) arrived today. I'm making bread this weekend!
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