Honey Wheat Bread

Bread in its many different forms is a basic food staple.

The variations are limitless and each people group in the world have their own unique kinds of bread . . . Wheat, rice, lentil, corn, barley, flat, round, oblong, rolls, biscuits, seeded, oat covered, baked, fried, yeast, baking powder . . . I suppose it would take a lifetime to make and sample all the possibilities!

Here's a loaf that will gently introduce your family to whole wheat. This recipe has a small amount of whole wheat, but you can gradually increase the amount as your family grows to love it!

I have chosen to use a bread machine for the mixing, kneading and first rising because it saves me time and energy for mixing up homemade body butter, working in the garden, sewing or whatever. I just take a timer with me so I know when the hour and a half is up. I come in, form my loaf, cover it, and set the timer for 45 minutes. When the timer goes off, I turn my toaster oven to 350F., take a 10 minute break while it's reaching temperature, pop my bread in for 25 minutes, and I've got my beloved bread!

I love homemade bread, with all it's many forms, flavors and textures, but it's got to be easy to make, look great, taste wonderful and most importantly be nutritious! If I'm going to make all the breads this family eats, and still have time to work on other projects, my bread machine and toaster oven are 2 very necessary tools in my kitchen arsenal!

HONEY WHEAT ~ So easy to make, so tasty to eat!

1 cup + 2 tablespoons warm water

4 teaspoons whole milk, or heavy cream

1 1/2 tablespoons honey

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

1 tablespoon butter

5 tablespoons ground flax seed

2 1/2 cups unbleached flour

1/2 cup whole wheat flour

2 teaspoons fast rise (Saf quick yeast) or 1 tablespoon active dry yeast

1 1/2 teaspoons vital wheat gluten

• Remove bread pan from bread machine
• Add water, milk, honey, salt, butter, flax, and flours.
• Make a shallow well; add yeast and vital wheat gluten.
• Set menu to DOUGH cycle.
• When cycle is finished, gently push dough down.
• Grease a large bread pan; form loaf.
• Cover with greased plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for 45 minutes, or until doubles.
• Bake in a 350F. oven; 25 minutes.
• Let cool on a wire rack.
• Slice and enjoy!

When making your own breads you have the opportunity to make healthier choices in regards to what actually goes into them In this recipe I exchange 1 tablespoon of butter for organic cold pressed flax seed and white sugar for a healthier sweetener, honey! Making these little changes, will not compromise taste or texture, and goes a long way towards a healthier, happier family!

Honey Wheat Bread sliced and ready for eatin' . . .!!!

Making it homemade, healthy and delicious . . . Over at Julie's!!!

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