Our Daily Bread

Whole wheat/white bread

This past Christmas my in-laws gifted us a WonderMill grain mill. We may have helped them pick it out at our favorite bread supply store, Bread Beckers. We've always loved how wonderful fresh made bread taste especially at the holidays. The grain mill was an awesome gift and a great way to add extra goodness to our bread. 

So with much excitement, and several loafs later, we perfected our daily bread! 

Our favorite wheat berry is an organic hard red spring wheat and ground flour is the King Arthur all purpose white. We recently purchased the wheat berry in bulk on Amazon from Great River Organic Milling and have been very pleased. To keep it fresh we store it in gallon baggies and keep in the freezer. 

Now for the magic! 

But a quick disclaimer first. When I say "we" I'm mostly referring to my better half who is the master mind behind this recipe. To my credit though I did make the bread:)

Measure twice bake once! 

We have found that measuring the ingredients lend to a better end result.  So for the grains we weight them before they're milled at 120 grams/cup as well as the ground white flour. 

King Arthur has a great ingredient weight chart. 

Mixer time!

But first we need to prep a few things. Heat 2 cups of water to 115 degrees in the microwave for about 1 min and 20 seconds. Then add the water, sugar and yeast to the mixer and blend for a few mins. You can use any type of sugar you please:)

Action time!

Starting with the wheat flour first add half and run until blended. Then add the second half. and blend. Note you may have to scrap some of the dough off the sides. 

And a dash of salt....or two. 

We add the salt to the white flour before adding it to the mixer. This link explains why much better than I could:) Now add half of the white and blend. 

Butter up!

Before adding the 2nd half of white flour add the melted butter and blend.  Then add 2nd half of flour.

Dough time!

Continue kneading the dough for about 4 or 5 mins. The dough should be cleaning off the sides of the mixer. We usually have to stop and scrape the dough off the hook at least once. 

Let it RISE! 

This is actually the 1st of 2 rises. Grease a large bowl, we use the mixer bowl, form the dough into a smooth ball then cover with a greased sheet of plastic wrap. Set the timer for 45 mins and enjoy a nice cup of tea:) 

Fat and happy!

The dough should double in size after the 1 st rise. 

Now let's get rollin'!

Grease two 9 x 5 pans

Grease your surface with about 1 to 1 1/2 TBSP of oil along with your roller. 

See video on how to form loaves. 

Let rise for another 45 mins. 

Ready for the oven!
Preheat oven to 400 degrees

They should double in size again after the 2nd rise. 

Gently place in preheat oven and bake for 20 mins. 

If wanting a browner crust remove after 15 mins and apply an egg wash. 

And Voila! 

Remove from pans and let cool for up to a hour before bagging. But if you're like us give it 20 mins before slicing:)

Our Daily Bread Recipe

Serving Size: 2 loaves
Prep time:2 hours
Cook time:20 mins

360 grams (3 cups) Whole Wheat flour
360 grams (3 cups) White flour
2 cups water heated to 115 degrees
2 TBSP Melted Butter (salted or unsalted)
2 TBSP Sugar
1 1/2 TBSP Fast Rise
1 TBSP Salt
Olive oil for rolling out dough

In mixer add water, yeast and sugar run for a few mins.

Turn off mixer and add 1/2 of the wheat flour and blend. Then add 2nd half and blend. You may have to scrape the sides at least once.

In the white flour add the salt then add half the flour to the mixer and blend. Once blended add melted butter and blend a bit. Then add second half and blend.

Let knead for about 5 mins as it should be cleaning off the sides. You may have to stop once to pull dough off hook.

Grease a large bowl and a sheet of plastic wrap. Once dough is formed place in greased bowl and cover with plastic for 45 mins.

Remove plastic and set aside. Dough will have doubled in size. Gently punch dough down and divide in half. Grease working surface and rolling pin and roll out dough to form loaves.

In greased 9 x 5 baking pans place each loaf seam side down, cover with greased plastic wrap and cover for 45 mins.

In a 400 degree preheated oven bake loaves for 20 mins.

For a browner crust remove after 15 mins and apply an egg wash. Bake for another 5 mins or until golden brown.

Egg Wash
1 egg white
2 TBSP water