kitchen life[[homemade bread]].

[[whole wheat honey bread.]]

2 packages regular active dry yeast

1/4 cup warm water (105°F to 115°F)

1/2 cup honey

1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened

3 teaspoons salt

2 1/2 cups very warm water (120°F to 130°F)

4 1/2 cups whole wheat flour

2 3/4 to 3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

in large bowl, dissolve yeast in 1/4 cup warm water. Add honey, butter, salt, 2 1/2 cups very warm water and 3 cups of the whole wheat flour. Beat with electric mixer on low speed 1 minute, scraping bowl frequently. Beat on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl frequently. Beat in remaining 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour.

With spoon, stir in 2 1/4 to 2 3/4 cups of the all-purpose flour until dough pulls cleanly away from side of bowl.

On lightly floured surface, knead in remaining 1/2 to 1 cup all-purpose flour; continue kneading 5 to 10 minutes or until dough is smooth and springy. Grease large bowl with shortening or cooking spray; place dough in bowl, turning dough to grease all sides. Cover; let rise in warm place 30 to 45 minutes or until doubled in size.

Generously grease 2 (8x4- or 9x5-inch) loaf pans with shortening or cooking spray. Gently push fist into dough to deflate; divide in half. Shape dough into loaves; place in pans. Cover; let rise in warm place 30 to 45 minutes or until doubled in size.

  Heat oven to 375°F. Uncover dough; bake 30 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F; bake 10 to 15 minutes longer or until loaves sound hollow when lightly tapped. Immediately remove from pans to cooling racks. Cool completely, about 1 hour.

[side note: i bake for 25 minutes and then rotate loaves when i lower the temperature, and then bake for only about 7-8 minutes more. i also wrap them in damp towels to keep them moist].