Everyday Whole Wheat Bread

I grew up in the kitchen, baking and cooking side-by-side with my mother. One of my favorite things to bake was bread. Together we'd make loaves, rolls, and sticky buns. I loved it. There is nothing better than the scent of fresh bread baking in the oven. Well, other than eating bread fresh from the oven. :)

It has been a goal of mine to get back into regular baking. Not so much "sweets" baking, but enjoying making fresh, homemade bread each week for our family. I'm tired of buying bread, and there is just something so homey about baking it myself -- let alone the health and nutrition factor.

I guess you could say it's one of my New Year's goals now, and thus far I'm right on track. (Okay, I've baked once -- but with only two people in the house, a loaf of bread goes a long way!)

I wanted to share with you the simple recipe my mother and I have used for years. It can easily be adapted for a larger quantity (I usually double mine), and substitutions can also be made without disastrous results. :)

Whole Wheat Bread

This bread is easy to knead by hand, but can also be made using a mixer. It has a nice soft texture.

Ingredients

• 2 cups hot water
• 1/2 cup oil (I use coconut oil)
• 1/2 cup honey/coconut nectar/agave/rice syrup (you can easily cut the quantity)
• Ground flax seed (throw in a little or a lot - up to you!)
• 3 1/2 tsp. yeast
• 5 cups flour
• 2 tsp. salt

Directions

Combine water, oil, sweetener, and yeast. Let sit for a few minutes until mixture is frothy.

Add three cups of flour, ground flax, and salt. Mix thoroughly.

Add the remaining two cups of flour and knead until smooth and elastic -- about ten minutes.

Let rise until double. (I usually set a timer for 1 1/2 hours)

Shape into loaves or rolls (or braid!) and place on a lightly greased pan (again, I use coconut oil) and let rise again (about 30 minutes).

Option: for an extra "glow," you can always coat the top of the loaves with a little coconut oil for an extra special shine and flavor prior to placing into the oven.

Bake at 350* for about 30 minutes, until golden brown on top.

Official recipe says it makes two, 1 1/2 lb. loaves, or three medium sized loaves or braids.