Heather Buck's Wheat Bread

This is for all of you who may be wanting to try making homemade bread, are looking for a new recipe to try, or are wanting to grind your own wheat and use it! This recipe is from my friend Heather and is my absolute favorite for everyday bread. Not only is it light, yummy bread that is great for slicing, it's super easy to make!

Also, a bread maker's best friend is a mixer such as Kitchen Aid, Bosch, etc., with a dough hook. I have an Electrolux that has a pretty large mixing bowl, which works well for this recipe, as it makes four loaves.

WHEAT BREAD

5 c. warm water (110 degrees)
2 T. yeast (or 3 packets)
2/3 c. honey
2/3 c. oil
2 T. salt
5-6 c. white flour
5-6 c. wheat flour

Combine water, yeast, and honey in mixing bowl and let stand for 10-15 minutes. Add vegetable oil and combine. Gradually add salt and flour until well combined, and then let the mixer do the kneading for you! If you don't have a mixer, turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead until the dough is smooth and elastic. Transfer dough to a greased bowl and cover; let rise until double. Punch down, shape into four loaves, place in greased bread pans, and let rise again. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

I always brush the top with butter while hot to help keep the top crust soft. Let the loaves cool completely before putting into bread bags. Keeping homemade bread in the refrigerator helps it stay fresh, as homemade bread does not have the added preservatives that store-bought bread has. I usually make the four loaves and put three in the freezer.