Honey-Whole Wheat Bread

So I've been really into baking bread lately. I think I'll stop buying it at the store. This bread is way better!

Honey-Whole Wheat Bread

Time:

Prep: 35 Min Rise: 1 hr 50 min Bake 45 min

Makes: 2 loaves

Ingredients:

3 cups whole wheat flour

1/3 cup honey

1/4 cup shortening

3 teaspoons salt

2 package regular or quick active dry yeast (4 1/2 tsp.)

2 1/4 cups very warm water

3-4 cups all purpose or bread flour

Butter or margarine

Directions:

1) In a large bowl, beat whole wheat flour, honey, shortening, salt and yeast with electric mixer on low speed until well mixed. Add warm water. Beat with electric mixer on low speed 1 minute, scraping bowl frequently. Beat on medium speed 1 minute, scraping bowl frequently. Stir in enough all purpose flour, 1 cup at a time, to make dough east to handle.

2) Place dough on a lightly floured surface. Knead about 10 minutes (adding more flour as necessary) or until dough is smooth and springy. Grease large bowl with shortening or olive oil. Place dough in bowl, turning dough to grease all sides. Cover bowl loosely with plastic wrap and let rise in warm place 40 - 60 minutes or until dough has doubled in size. Dough is ready if indentation remains when touched.

3) Grease bottoms and sides or two 8x4-inch or 9x5-inch loaf pans with shortening or spray with cooking spray.

4) Gently push fist into dough to deflate. Divide dough in half. Flatten each half with hands or rolling pin into 18x9-inch rectangle on a lightly floured surface. Roll dough up tightly, beginning at 9-inch side. Press with thumbs to seal after each turn. Pinch edge of dough into roll to seal. Pinch each end of roll to seal. Fold ends under loaf. Place seam side down in pan. Brush loaves lightly with butter. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let rise in warm place 35 - 50 minutes or until dough has doubled in size.

5) Move oven rack to low position so that tops of pans will be in center of oven. Heat oven to 375 F.

6) Bake 40 to 45 minutes or until loaves are deep golden brown and sound hollow when tapped. Remove from pans to wire rack. Brush loaves with butter; cool.