Whole wheat sandwich bread is a healthy alternative to white bread. Do you know how to make your bread light and fluffy with a soft tender crumb? Here's my little trick that helps softens the gluten in the whole wheat flour. This will soon become your new favorite sandwich bread. I promise.
Table of Content
The popularity of whole wheat bread is growing. Whole grain bread made is rich in vitamins and minerals. It contains more dietary fiber than white bread, and whole-wheat loaves are often higher in vitamin E. Whole-wheat bread can also provide a nutty taste and a hearty feel.
I love making bread at home. I can honestly say, if you make good homemade bread you will not buy store-bought bread often. The process is so therapeutic. Watching that gluten develop into a light, airy, yet soft and chewy bread is fun.
I wish you could touch and see how soft and tender the crumb on this whole wheat sandwich bread is. I must admit that I love my white sandwich bread so much that I have had a hard time switching to whole wheat. And yet, over the years I have perfected this recipe, and it's now one of our favorite sandwich bread recipes.
Why make this recipe?
- This is the most delicious whole wheat loaf you will make! Soft, light, and airy with a tender crumb.
- The recipe is very simple and easy to make. I personally would recommend using a stand mixer if you have one. This dough does need a bit of kneading so we can activate the gluten.
- Whole wheat can be dense so we do not use 100% whole wheat. We do take advantage of the gluten present in white flour.
- If you look at the method below you will see I soak my flour in hot milk for a few minutes this is a great way to soften the gluten in whole wheat flour and develop gluten. Often a process used in sourdough baking. I highly recommend you don't skip that step. The resulting bread is softer than regular whole wheat bread.
- Leftover bread slices can be used to make French toast.
Timeline and process
- Dough preparation - 15 minutes + 30 mins autolyze
- Rise - 60 to 90 minutes
- Shape the bread - 10 minutes
- Proof - 1 to 2 hours
- Bake - 45 minutes (70 mins for the larger bread)
Ingredients and substitutes
- Flour - In this bread recipe I use both, whole wheat as well as bread flour but all purpose flour works too. You can use 100% whole wheat if you prefer, but I find all whole wheat sometimes tends to get a bit denser. This ratio of whole wheat and all-purpose gives a lovely light and fluffy bread.
- Instant dry yeast - I like to use instant yeast because I've always had great success with it.
- If you have to use active dry yeast, you will need 2 ¼ teaspoon or one packet.
- And if you use fresh yeast, you will need about 21 grams.
- Water - The temperature of the water is an essential factor in bread making. It has to be warm, not hot. Usually about 110 F but you don't need a thermometer.
- Liquid - I love adding a bit of richness to the dough and milk works great. Water will work just as well. I use hot milk because it softens the gluten and gives a delicate soft crumb when baked. It does take a few extra minutes to cool the dough, but it's worth the effort.
- Honey - I think the flavor of honey works best with whole wheat. But you can use 2 tablespoon of sugar instead.
- Fat - I use olive oil as well as butter for flavor. You can also use vegetable oil. I've used room temperature almost melted butter but soft butter works just fine.
Whole wheat sandwich bread
- Autolyze - In the large bowl of a stand mixer combine the whole wheat flour and bread flour. Pour the hot, almost boiling milk and stir to combine. Leave it alone for 30 minutes until it becomes warm or close to room temperature.
Pro tip - The hot milk will soften the gluten in the whole wheat flour, which gives us a nice soft bread. - Yeast mixture - In the meantime, in a mixing bowl or measuring cup, add warm water, yeast, eggs, honey, and oil. Combine well and set aside for a few minutes.
- Knead - When the flour mixture is barely warm, add the yeast mixture. Turn the mixer on with the dough hook attachment and knead on medium-high speed for about 7 minutes or by hand for 10 minutes. Scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl.
Pro tip - If you do not like kneading, I highly recommend using a stand mixer with the hook attachment. - Butter - Next, gradually add the salt and soft room temperature butter. Knead for another 4 minutes until you have a smooth, soft, elastic, but slightly sticky dough.
Pro tip - The dough will split and break apart when you add the butter but it will come together as you continue to knead.
- Rise - Transfer the dough to an oiled bowl. Cover with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and leave to rise in a warm place for about 90 to 120 minutes until double in volume.
Pro tip - In winter, you may need 90 minutes or more. But in summer, the dough may double in 45 minutes. If you can't attend to it at that moment, de-gas, reshape, and let double in volume again. - Divide - Once double in size, remove the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Degas or remove air then divide the dough into 4 portions
Pro tip - At this point, there is no need for additional flour. So use a light dusting of flour. - Shape - Shape each portion into a ball then shape each ball into a sausage.
- Flatten each ball into a dough disc
- Then the two sides into the middle.
- Roll from the top towards the bottom like a log to the same size as the width of the loaf pan.
- Place the four sausages into a greased or sprayed loaf life.
- Proof - Place the four sausages into a greased or sprayed loaf life seam-side down. Cover the loaf pan with plastic wrap or clean kitchen cloth and leave it in a warm place for about 45 to 90 minutes or until it almost doubles in volume.
Pro tip - You can also place the loaf pan in the fridge to slow proof for about 14 to 16 hours.
- Oven - About 20 minutes before baking preheat the oven at 350°F / 177°C / Gas Mark 4.
- Egg wash - Brush the bread with a beaten egg. You can even sprinkle with some sesame or poppy seeds.
Pro tip- Egg wash is a full egg with 2 tablespoon of water. An egg wash will give a nice golden color. If you can't use egg, milk or cream will work just as well. Do not use oil or butter as it will create a crust. - Bake - Place the loaf in the oven and bake until you have a nice golden brown color. The 13-inch loaf pan will take about 70 to 90 minutes and the 9-inch loaf will take about 40 to 55 minutes. If the top starts to get too dark, tent with an aluminum foil sheet.
Pro tip - When baked, the internal temperature of the bread should be about 195 F. The bread will have a hollow sound on the bottom when tapped.
- Cool - Remove from the oven and cool in the pan for no more than 10 minutes. Then, cool completely on the wire rack.
Pro tip - Do not leave the loaf on the loaf pan for too long as the steam will make the bread soggy on the bottom. - Keep warm - Cover the loaf with a clean kitchen cloth to keep it soft. Let the bread cool completely for at least 15 minutes before you slice.
Pro tip - Covering the bread with a cloth will help the bread retain moisture and prevent it from drying out. - Enjoy!
Variations
- Walnut raisin bread - Add up to 1 cup of chopped walnuts and raisins to the dough. Soak the raisins in hot water for 10 minutes then drain well.
- Olive bread - Add up to 1 cup of chopped green and brown olives such as kalamata.
- Sun-dried tomato bread - Add up to 1 cup of chopped drained cherry tomatoes. Use the oil in the jar instead of olive oil.
- Oats flax seeds whole wheat bread - You can add ½ cup soaked and drained oats and ¼ cup flaxseeds to the dough and coat the dough with dry oats and flaxseeds. You can do the same with grains and seeds such as sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds
- Roasted tomatoes and peppers - Add up to 1 cup of roasted tomatoes and red peppers to the dough. Make sure to squeeze out excess moisture to prevent the dough from becoming too soft.
- Whole wheat Pullman sandwich bread - You can use this dough in the Pullman pan too. Each Pullman pan will have its own guide for total dough weight. Use the right amount for your pan and make dinner rolls with any excess dough.
- 16x4x4 about 1300 - 1400 grams
- 13x4x4 about 1100 - 1200 grams
- 9x4x4 about 750 - 850 grams
- 7x4x4 about 550 - 650 grams
Tips for success
- Measure all ingredients ahead of time so you don't forget anything at the last minute.
- For accuracy use a weight measure for the ingredients because every cup of flour can weigh differently depending on how you fill it.
- The milk must be hot when you add it to the flours. But, remember to let it cool down to room temperature before you add the instant yeast mixture.
- Though instant dry yeast has a long shelf life, it can get ruined. Always check the expiry of the yeast. If unsure, combine the yeast with liquid ingredients and let stand 5 minutes. If it gets foamy the yeast is good to go if not best to buy fresh yeast or check the temperature of the milk
- Keep salt away from yeast as it can kill the yeast. I like to combine it with the flour and then add it to the yeast mixture.
- A soft loose well-hydrated dough is not necessarily a bad thing, it often will give you soft fluffy bread so don't be tempted to add more flour than mentioned in the recipe.
- Kneading is key to making good bread. While kneading by hand can be therapeutic using a stand mixer is easier and quicker
- Leave the dough at room temperature to rise until it doubles in volume. While not recommended when in haste you can place it in a warm (not hot) oven this will expedite the rise.
- Bread does not have to be time-consuming. You can leave the dough in the fridge to rise for a few hours (even overnight) while you go about your chores. A slow rise will develop flavor to the bread.
- Always preheat the oven for at least 30 minutes before you place bread in or the low temperature will spread the dough too much.
More whole wheat bread recipes
How long does this whole wheat bread keep?
If stored properly, this whole wheat bread will stay for 4 to 5 days at room temperature. It can also be frozen for a month or more. However, Never store bread in the fridge as it dries out.
Can I use all whole wheat flour for this bread?
Yes, you can, but whole wheat flour has low gluten so the bread will be denser. Using some white flour in combination with whole wheat takes advantage of the gluten in white flour to make it light, airy as well as chewier.
How to freeze whole wheat bread?
I find the best way to freeze whole wheat sandwich bread is to cut the slices and store them in freezer-safe bags. Remove just the number of slices you need to toast for your sandwiches.
Printable Recipe
Whole Wheat Sandwich Bread
Print Pin Rate Share by Email Share on FB Save Grow Coooking Temperature: 350°F /177°C / Gas Mark 4
Difficulty: Easy
Calories: 208kcal
Adjust Servings Here: 1 loaf
Description
Whole wheat sandwich bread is a healthy alternative to white bread. Do you know how to make your bread light and fluffy with a soft tender crumb? Here's my little trick that helps softens the gluten in the whole wheat flour. This will soon become your new favorite sandwich bread. I promise.
Video
Conversions Used
1 lb = 453 grams, 1 cup = 240 ml, 1 stick = 113g, 1 tbsp= 15 ml, 1 tsp= 5 ml,
Ingredients
13 x 4 x 4 Loaf pan total dough - 1166 g (63% Hydration)
- 470 g (4 cups) Whole wheat flour
- 225 g (1¾ cups) Bread flour
- 250 g (1 cups) Hot milk ((almost boiling))
- 120 g (½ cup) Warm water ((110 °F ) )
- 14 g (½ oz) Instant dry yeast
- 45 g (3 tablespoon) Honey
- 30 g (2 tablespoon) Olive oil (Olive or cooking)
- 100 g (2 large) Eggs
- 12 g (2 teaspoon) Kosher salt
- 45 g (3 tablespoon) Butter (unsalted, room temperature)
9 x 4 x 4 Loaf pan - Total dough 840 g (60% Hydration)
- 370 g (3 cups) Whole wheat flour
- 125 g (1 cups) Bread flour
- 150 g (¾ cups) Whole milk ((almost boiling) )
- 60 g (60 ml) Warm water ((110F))
- 90 g (2 large) Large Eggs
- 9 g (2 teaspoon) Instant dry yeast
- 30 g (2 tablespoon) Honey
- 15 g (2 tablespoon) Olive oil
- 7 g (1 teaspoon) Kosher salt
- 30 g (2 tablespoon) Butter (unsalted, room temperature)
Instructions
- Autolyze - In the bowl of a stand mixer combine the whole wheat flour and bread flour. Pour the hot, almost boiling milk and stir to combine. Leave it alone for 30 minutes until it becomes warm or close to room temperature. Pro tip - The hot milk will soften the gluten in the whole wheat flour, which gives us a nice soft bread.470 g Whole wheat flour, 225 g Bread flour, 250 g Hot milk
- Yeast mixture - In the meantime, in a mixing bowl or measuring cup, add warm water, yeast, eggs, honey, and oil. Combine well and set aside for a few minutes.120 g Warm water, 14 g Instant dry yeast, 45 g Honey, 30 g Olive oil, 100 g Eggs
- Knead - When the flour mixture is barely warm, add the yeast mixture. Turn the mixer on with the paddle attachment and knead on medium-high speed for about 7 minutes or by hand for 10 minutes.Pro tip - If you do not like kneading, I highly recommend using a stand mixer with the hook attachment.
- Butter - Next, gradually add the salt and soft room temperature butter. Knead for another 4 minutes until you have a smooth, soft, elastic, but slightly sticky dough. Pro tip - The dough will split and break apart when you add the butter but it will come together as you continue to knead.45 g Butter, 12 g Kosher salt
- Rise - Transfer the dough to an oiled bowl. Cover with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen cloth and leave to rise in a warm place for about 90 to 120 minutes until double in volume.Pro tip - In winter, you may need 90 minutes or more. But in summer, the dough may double in 45 minutes. If you can't attend to it at that moment, de-gas, reshape, and let double in volume again.
- Divide - Once double in size, remove the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Degas or remove air then divide the dough into 4 portions Pro tip - At this point, there is no need for additional flour. So use a light dusting of flour.
- Shape - Shape each portion into a ball then shape each ball into a sausage. - Flatten each ball into a dough disc- Then the two sides into the middle. - Roll from the top towards the bottom like a log to the same size as the width of the loaf pan. - Place the four sausages into a greased or sprayed loaf life.
- Proof - Place the four sausages into a greased or sprayed loaf life. Cover the loaf pan with plastic wrap or clean kitchen cloth and leave it in a warm place for about 45 to 90 minutes or until it almost doubles in volume. Pro tip - You can also place the loaf pan in the fridge to slow proof for about 14 to 16 hours.
- Oven - About 20 minutes before baking preheat the oven at 350°F / 177°C / Gas Mark 4.
- Egg wash - Brush the bread with a beaten egg. You can even sprinkle with some sesame or poppy seeds. Pro tip- Egg wash is a full egg with 2 tablespoon of water. An egg wash will give a nice golden color. If you can't use egg, milk or cream will work just as well. Do not use oil or butter as it will create a crust.
- Bake - Place the loaf in the oven and bake until you have a nice golden brown color. The 13-inch loaf pan will take about 70 to 90 minutes and the 9-inch 40 to 55 minutes. If the top starts to get too dark, tent with an aluminum foil sheet. Pro tip - When baked, the internal temperature of the bread should be about 195 F. The bread will have a hollow sound on the bottom when tapped.
- Keep warm - Cover the loaf with a clean kitchen cloth to keep it soft. Let the bread cool completely for at least 15 minutes before you slice. Pro tip - Covering the bread with a cloth will help the bread retain moisture and prevent it from drying out.
- Enjoy!
Recipe Notes & Tips
- Measure all ingredients ahead of time so you don't forget anything at the last minute.
- For accuracy use a weight measure for the ingredients because every cup of flour can weigh differently depending on how you fill it.
- The milk must be hot when you add it to the flours. But, remember to let it cool down to room temperature before you add the instant yeast mixture.
- Though instant dry yeast has a long shelf life, it can get ruined. Always check the expiry of the yeast. If unsure, combine the yeast with liquid ingredients and let stand 5 minutes. If it gets foamy the yeast is good to go if not best to buy fresh yeast or check the temperature of the milk
- Keep salt away from yeast as it can kill the yeast. I like to combine it with the flour and then add it to the yeast mixture.
- A soft loose well-hydrated dough is not necessarily a bad thing, it often will give you soft fluffy bread so don't be tempted to add more flour than mentioned in the recipe.
- Kneading is key to making good bread. While kneading by hand can be therapeutic using a stand mixer is easier and quicker
- Leave the dough at room temperature to rise until it doubles in volume. While not recommended when in haste you can place it in a warm (not hot) oven this will expedite the rise.
- Bread does not have to be time-consuming. You can leave the dough in the fridge to rise for a few hours (even overnight) while you go about your chores. A slow rise will develop flavor to the bread.
- Always preheat the oven for at least 30 minutes before you place bread in or the low temperature will spread the dough too much.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 208- kcalCarbohydrates: 37- gProtein: 7- gFat: 5- gSaturated Fat: 2- gTrans Fat: 1- gCholesterol: 7- mgSodium: 416- mgPotassium: 167- mgFiber: 4- gSugar: 4- gVitamin A: 94- IUVitamin C: 1- mgCalcium: 37- mgIron: 2- mg
The nutrition information and metric conversion are calculated automatically. I cannot guarantee its accuracy. If this data is important to you please verify with your trusted nutrition calculator. Thank you
Did you make this recipe? Share it with me.Tag @veenaazmanov on instagram or #hashtag it #veenaazmanov
Victoria
Day 7 Done
Lise
day 7 done
Smita
Day 7 done
Debra
The dough and bread were way too dry. i don't think the hydration level is correct and some of the measurements are off. For instance, the yeast measurement for the 9x4x4 loaf is listed at 9 gms or 1 tsp. One teaspoon of yeast weighs 4 grams not 9 grams. I compromised and used 6 grams. It seemed to rise ok, but the finished product was very dry as was the dough. I added more water but was only guessing at that point. Don't think I will make this recipe again.
Veena Azmanov
Hey Debra. Sorry to hear that. I checked the recipe again and the hydration is correct. Yes, the yeast is 2 tsp of instant yeast. Sorry about that. Thanks