How To Make Whole Wheat Brown Bread

Step 1: You will need

Step 2: Begin the dough

Pour the water into the mixer and add the yeast, flour, egg yolk, salt, honey and butter. Mix on a low speed for about 4 minutes. If it appears too sticky, whilst mixing, add a little more flour. Increase the speed slightly and mix for another 4 minutes. Transfer the dough into a bowl, cover it completely with a plastic bag and let it rise for 1 1/2 -2 hours.

Step 3: Continue the dough

Once it has risen, dust the dough and the working surface with flour. Punch the dough down, with your hands to let the air out and place it onto the floured surface. Fold the bread in, towards you, shaping the dough into a log. Then place it, seam-side down into the loaf tin. Press it down lightly to mold to the tin. Cover it loosely with the plastic bag, making sure that you allow enough room for the dough to rise. Place it into the fridge and leave overnight.

Step 4: Preheat oven

The following day, set the oven to 190ºC (375ºF/ gas mark 5).

TIP! Make sure that the loaf has doubled in volume. If it has not risen enough, let it sit at room temperature for a further 2 hours, until it increases in size.

Step 5: Bake

Transfer the bread into the hot oven. Spray the insides of the oven with a little water to create steam. This in turn creates a nice crust. Bake for 30 minutes.

Step 6: Test and remove

Once baked, carefully remove the bread from the tin using a cloth to protect your hands from the hot bread. Tap the bottom of the loaf. If it is done, it will make a hollow sound. If not, let it bake a little more. Allow it to cool down completely, on a perforated rack. The holes help the air can flow freely and your bread will cool quicker.

Step 7: Serve

Your homemade whole wheat brown bread is now ready to serve. Enjoy it as you would any freshly made bread, as an accompaniment to any soup or stew, or maybe alone, covered in copious amounts of butter.