Light Wheat Bread

Making bread has kind of been the one thing that I have never been able to get right.  I finally figured out a little while ago that it's because I have a KitchenAid and not a Bosch (a mixer that's better made for mixing bread dough).  My sister has a Bosch and her bread always comes out great, but when I try the same recipe it turns out flat on top and dense.  My mother-in-law has a KitchenAid and has been trying to find recipes that will work well with it.  She got a couple from a lady in her ward and forwarded them on to me, and this is one of them.  It turned out so good!  I just made them yesterday and the second loaf is almost gone already.  It makes great sandwiches and is also good to have just a slice with butter and honey.  I'm so excited to have a good bread recipe!

Ingredients:
2 ½ cups warm water (~110 degrees)
1 ½ T yeast
1 T sugar
6-7 cups whole wheat flour (I use half white and half wheat flour)
1/3 cup honey
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 ½ T dough enhancer
1 T wheat gluten
2 ½ tsp salt
1 tsp oil if kneading by hand

In bowl of stand mixer, put on the paddle attachment*.  Pour into the bowl warm water, yeast, sugar and 2 cups of flour.  Mix to combine.  Cover with a towel and let sit for 15 minutes. 

Add the honey, oil, dough enhancer, gluten, salt and 3 cups of flour, mix well.  

Switch to a dough attachment*, then adding about ¼ cup at a time, run the mixer on low until the dough begins to clean the sides of the mixing bowl.  Dough should be smooth, elastic and still tacky to the touch.  If you add too much flour, the dough will be stiff and too dry.

If kneading by hand, knead 7-10 minutes, or until the dough is smooth, elastic and small bubbles or blisters appear beneath the surface of the dough.  Use the tsp. of oil on your hands to keep the dough soft.

If kneading by a stand-up mixer*, once flour is incorporated, mix on medium for 10 minutes.

Form the dough into two loaves and divide into 2 large loaf pans that have been sprayed with Pam or greased.  Spray or lightly grease the top of the dough also.

Allow to rise in a slightly warmed oven or other warm place until doubled in size; about 30-60 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Remove covering and bake 25-30 minutes or until golden brown and breadsounds hollow when thumped.  Remove bread from pans, place on rack; brush with butter and allow to cool.


*Instructions for a stand-up mixer