Sandwich Wheat Bread

I got this recipe from a friend at church. It has wonderful texture for sandwich bread and is easy to make. It takes about 1 1/2 hours total, so it doesn't take all day. I love having homemade bread to enjoy.

I must say that having a Bosch mixer has made all the difference for making bread. Something about the way the machine kneads the bread makes it perfect for sandwich bread.


First Mix-ins
2 1/2 c water
4 tsp Yeast
1/2 tsp Sugar
1/3 c Vital Wheat Gluten
3 1/2 c Flour, Whole Wheat

Water needs to be tap-hot (120* F). Put 2 c. in a stand-mixer bowl (Kitchen Aid or Bosch mixers are fabulous for this).

Use the other 1/2 c. hot water to proof the yeast. Mix yeast and sugar in the water and let sit until foamy.

Mix vital wheat gluten and wheat flour with water in bowl. Add yeast and mix for 1 minutes.

Let rest for 10 minutes, covered.

Final Mixing
4 tsp lemon juice
1 Tbsp Salt
1/3 c oil
1/3 c Honey
2 1/2 c Flour, Whole Wheat

After rest time, add remaining ingredients and mix/knead for 6 minutes. Add the last 1/2 c. of flour slowly. The dough should pull away from the bowl edge when enough flour has been added.

Preheat oven to 150* F (or turn on to 350* F and turn off after 1 1/2-2 minutes). Preheat oven while dough is kneading.

Divide dough into 2 buttered bread pans. Place in warm oven and let rise for 25-30 minutes.

With bread dough still in oven, turn oven on to 350* and set a timer for 20-25 minutes. When the timer goes off the bread is done. Brush with butter and remove from pan to let cool.

To simplify my life, I use a feature on my oven that delays cook time and ends the cook time after so many minutes. I delay the cook time by 30 minutes and then the oven automatically turns on and heats up to 350*. I then set a cook time for 25 minutes that begins counting down after the oven starts preheating. The oven turns itself off after the timer goes off. My oven is nothing special, so maybe your oven has similar capacities. It sure makes my life easier.

I use a long bread pan (the equivalent of 2 smaller pans). It's a Wilton brand that my Mother-in-Law passed along to me. I have loved it, the size is just right for my family and we don't have as many heels.