This Simple Wheat Bread recipe is a quick and dirty way to get a loaf of dense, hearty bread on the table without thinking too hard.

I find myself baking bread pretty often. There are lots of reasons I turn to flour and yeast. It is much less expensive than buying bread of similar quality. I actually know what ingredients are going into my families bodies. The routine of stirring and folding is pretty relaxing. My oven is on for a good long time, making my kitchen wonderfully warm. But mostly, I like bread. I especially like warm, crunchy bread, fresh from the oven.

Usually I go pretty simple.

Really. Water, flour, yeast and salt are all you need for a delicious bread. But this time I wanted something a little more dense. Thick and hearty to go with a French Onion soup. A bread that would soak up all the aromatic flavors, and deliver them to my mouth without falling apart.

Why Whole Wheat Bread?

Well, essentially, whole wheat flour is made from the wheat germ, endosperm and bran, while white flour only contains the endosperm.  So, what did I just say? In simple terms, whole wheat contains more of the plant, and provides more balance, particularly fiber and vitamin E, to your diet.

Yeast loves Gluten

But your recipe contains bread flour?  Yes. The Gluten content is higher in bread flour.  This results in better yeast activity and a bread that rises more readily, so I generally use some amount of bread flour in my recipes, even when primarily using denser whole grain flours. This bread is a mix, to get the density of a whole wheat bread, while still rising well, and developing a crunchy crust.

And be sure to try some of our other hearty fresh baked creations like my Skillet Focaccia!

Yield: 1

Simple Wheat Bread

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This Simple Wheat Bread recipe is a quick and dirty way to get a loaf of dense, hearty bread on the table without thinking too hard.

Prep Time 5 minutes

Rise Time 2 hours

Cook Time 45 minutes

Total Time 2 hours 50 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 cups Warm water
• 1 tbsp active dry yeast
• 3 tbsp dark brown sugar
• 3 tbsp instant coffee
• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 tsp course salt
• 1 1/2 cups bread flour

Instructions

1. Combine warm (not boiling) water, yeast and sugar in a heavy bowl, or your stand mixer until well mixed. Let stand 5 minutes to ensure yeast will proof.
2. Add Coffee and wheat flour, mix until cohesive
3. Add salt and bread flour, mix until difficult, then knead in bowl until it forms a compact ball.
4. Let rise covered in a warm place for 1 hour.
5. Turn onto floured surface and shape into ball, then place in a floured rising bowl, or on well floured wooden board.
6. Let rise 30 minutes
7. Meanwhile, preheat a Dutch Oven in your oven to 425 while bread is rising.
8. Carefully remove Dutch Oven from heat, and slide boule into it's center, slash the top with a sharp knife, return Dutch Oven to heat and bake 30 minutes covered.
9. Remove the lid from the Dutch Oven and bake and additional 15 minutes.
10. Remove from oven and turn out onto a wire rack to cool.

Notes

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• 
  Lodge 5 Quart Cast Iron Dutch Oven. Pre-Seasoned Pot with Lid and Dual Loop Handle
• 
  King Arthur Flour Premium 100% Whole Wheat Flour, 5 Pound
• 
  Café Bustelo Espresso Style Instant Coffee, 3.5 Ounce

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

10

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 172Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 237mgCarbohydrates: 36gFiber: 3gSugar: 3gProtein: 6g