Golden Honey Whole Wheat Loaves
These soft and hearty whole wheat loaves are naturally sweetened with honey and have a tender crumb thanks to a touch of vital wheat gluten. Perfect for sandwiches or toast.
- Prep30 min
- Cook30 min
- Total1h 50m
- DifficultyMedium
- Servings2
This recipe makes two loaves of whole wheat bread with a lovely golden crust and a soft, moist interior. The honey adds a subtle sweetness, while the lemon juice helps the yeast work and keeps the bread tender.
Using vital wheat gluten gives the dough extra strength, so the loaves rise beautifully and stay light. You can bake both at once and freeze one for later – it’s a great way to have homemade bread on hand.
Ingredients
Servings
Converted amounts are rounded.
Method
- In a large mixing bowl, combine 3 cups of the whole wheat flour, the vital wheat gluten, and the yeast. Stir to blend. Pour in the warm water and mix until smooth. Let the mixture rest for 10 minutes.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the canola oil, honey, lemon juice, and salt. After the 10‑minute rest, add this mixture to the flour mixture and stir until combined.
- Gradually add the remaining 3½ to 4 cups of whole wheat flour, mixing until a shaggy dough forms. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead by hand for about 10 minutes, or use a stand mixer with a dough hook for the same time, until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- Divide the dough into two equal pieces. Shape each piece into a loaf and place them into two 9x5-inch loaf pans that have been lightly greased with cooking spray. Cover the pans with a clean kitchen towel and let the dough rise for 30 minutes, until nearly doubled.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Bake the loaves for 30 minutes, until they are golden brown and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom. Let the bread cool completely on a wire rack before slicing. One loaf can be frozen for later use.
💡 Tips
- If you don't have vital wheat gluten, you can omit it, but the bread will be denser.
- For a softer crust, brush the tops of the loaves with a little melted butter after baking.
Inspired by a recipe from Two Peas & Their Pod