Emilie's Whole Wheat Bread

As I was meandering around Pinterest the other day, I came across a recipe for whole wheat bread. And since I had been entertaining the idea of trying my bread making skills out again, I thought I may as well try this recipe. In the past, I have failed miserably at making bread, so it was with some hesitation that I began to proceed. 


I noticed this recipe called for vital wheat gluten which is supposed to create elasticity in the bread. I happen to have some thanks to a kind family in my ward who gave it to me recently. I have no idea where they got the large cans that they gave me but I have been told that it can be bought at baking stores or Maceys. I have purchased some in smaller quantities at Walmart and have seen it for sale online at Amazon.com. Also, bread flour has vital wheat gluten in it, so if a recipe calls for bread flour, you should get similar results.


My first attempt at making whole wheat bread with this recipe was very successful (and delicious!) I will definitely keep using this recipe! Give it a try for yourself and let me know how it goes!


Source: Dealstomeals.blogspot.com
Makes 4 8/4 inch loaves. If halved, makes 2 loaves. *If you have a smaller Kitchen aid mixer(4qt. bowl), half this recipe. It is a big recipe!

7 c. whole wheat flour (grind your own if you have a wheat grinder)
2/3 c. vital wheat gluten
2 1/2 T. instant yeast

5 c. hot water (120-130 F)

2 T. salt
2/3 c. oil
2/3 c. honey or 1 c. sugar (I like honey the best!)
2 1/2 T. bottled lemon juice

5 c. whole wheat flour

Mix together the first three ingredients in your mixer with a dough hook. Add water all at once and mix for 1 minute; cover and let rest for 10 minutes (this is called sponging). Add salt, oil, honey or sugar, and lemon juice and beat for 1 minute. Add last flour, 1 cup at a time, beating between each cup. Beat for about 6-10 minutes until dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl. This makes very soft dough.

Pre-heat oven for 1 minute to lukewarm and turn off. Turn dough onto oiled counter top; divide, shape into loaves place in oiled bread pans. Let rise in warm oven for 10-15 minutes until dough reaches top of pan. Do not remove bread from oven; turn oven to 350 F and bake for 30 minutes. Remove from pans and cool on racks. This recipe can be halved to make 2 loaves.