Monday, May 4, 2009

Light Wheat Bread

Posted by Erin Wilburn / 4 comments » / bread

I’ve had a really busy spring. Seven out of nine weeks I have obligations that I have to go out of town for. So, during one of those weekends where I didn’t have to go out of town, my time felt so leisurely! What better way to spend a Sunday than baking bread? After conquering the pretzels, I thought I might finally try to make just a regular loaf of bread. I landed on Smitten Kitchen’s recipe, because I didn’t want a recipe that called for just white flour. I *try* to eat healthy, natural foods, and whole grains are really important in my mind.

The whole bread-making process felt like magic. I would find myself saying “Wow! The yeast rose! AMAZING! MAGICAL!” I was honestly surprised as I followed all the steps, and everything happened just as it should. When I pulled the finished loaf out of the oven, I said “WOW, I made bread. This is real bread!” I also discovered, perhaps I should get a bread knife. Either way, I got it sliced, and I really enjoyed this bread. I used it for a couple sandwiches, but I’ve really enjoyed it as toast. There’s nothing better than than a piece of homemade toast with my Mammy’s homemade grape jelly smothered on top! (Mammy is my paternal grandmother) If haven’t tried to bake your own bread yet, let me tell you, it’s surprisingly easy, and I highly recommend this recipe.

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Light Wheat Bread

The Bread Baker’s Apprentice as seen on Smitten Kitchen
Makes one 2-lb. loaf

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups (11.25 oz) unbleached high-gluten or bread flour
1 1/2 cups (6.75 oz.) whole-wheat flour
1 1/2 tablespoons (.75 oz.) granulated sugar or honey
1 1/2 teaspoons (.38 oz.) salt
3 tablespoons (1 oz.) powdered milk
1 1/2 teaspoons (.17 oz.) instant yeast
2 tablespoons (1 oz.) shortening or unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 1/4 cups (10 oz.) water, at room temperature

Directions:

Stir together the high-gluten flour, whole-wheat flour, sugar (if using), salt, powdered milk, and yeast in a 4-quart mixing bowl (or in the bowl of an electric mixer). Add the shortening, honey (if using), and water. Stir (or mix on low speed with the paddle attachment) until the ingredients form a ball. If there is still flour in the bottom of the bowl, dribble in additional water. The dough should feel soft and supple. It is better for it to be a little too soft that to be too stiff and tough.

Sprinkle high-gluten or whole-wheat flour on the counter, and transfer the dough to the counter, and begin kneading (or mix on medium speed with the dough hook). Add more flour if needed to make a firm, supple dough that is slightly tacky but not sticky. Kneading should take about 10 minutes (6 minutes by machine). The dough should pass the windowpane test and registers 77 to 81 degrees F. Lightly oil a large bowl and transfer the dough to the bowl, rolling it around to coat it with oil. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap.

Ferment at room temperature for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, or until the dough doubles in size.

Remove the dough from the bowl and press it by hand into a rectangle about 3/4 inch thick, 6 inches wide, and 8 to 10 inches long. Form it into a loaf by working from the short side of the dough, rolling up the length of the dough one section at a time, pinching the crease with each rotation to strengthen the surface tension. It will spread wider as you roll it. Pinch the final seam closed with the back edge of your hand or with your thumbs. Place the loaf in a lightly oiled 8 1/2 by 4 1/2 inch bread pan; the ends of the loaf should touch the ends of the pan to ensure an even rise. Mist the top with spray oil and loosely cover with plastic wrap.

Proof at room temperature for approximately 60 to 90 minutes or until the dough crests above the lip of the pan.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F with the oven rack on the middle shelf.

Place the bread pan on a sheet pan and bake for 30 minutes. Rotate the pan 180 degrees for even baking and continue baking for 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the oven. The finished loaf should register 190 degrees F in the center, be golden brown on the top and the sides, and sound hollow when thumped on the bottom.

When the bread is finished baking, remove it immediately from the loaf pan and cool it on a rack for at least 1 hour, preferably 2 hours, before slicing or serving.