whole wheat bread.

This is a little time-consuming, but tastes great and it's really satisfying to bake your own bread! This recipe comes from the "Stirring Performances" cookbook from the Junior League of Winston Salem (one of my favorite cookbooks!).

Recipe:
4 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
2 (1-oz) packages yeast
3 tbsp. white sugar
1 tbsp. salt
1 1/2 cups water
3/4 cup milk
1/4 cups shortening
2 to 2 1/2 cups flour, unsifted

-Mix first five ingredients in the bowl of an electric mixer.
-In a small saucepan, heat water, milk, and shortening until warm and shortening is melted.
-Add liquid to dry ingredients and mix on low speed until moistened.
-Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes.
-Stir in 1 1/2 cups white flour, knead 10 minutes adding remaining 1 cup of flour as needed. (Use dough hook on mixer or knead white flour in my hand.)
-Place dough in greased bowl, turn to coat, and cover with a damp towel. Place bowl in warm oven with a pan of hot water. Let rise in oven for 1-1 1/2 hours.
-Beat dough down, divide in half, and place in 2 greased loaf pans. Dough should touch the ends of pans. Let rise for 40 minutes in warm oven.
-Bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes until bread tests done.


emily.