Hello, beautiful soul! Today, I’m excited to share with you a delightful journey into the world of healthy baking with a special recipe I created using my bread machine. This heartwarming loaf is not just any bread; it’s a testament to the beauty of whole wheat flour, the richness of butter and eggs, and a hint of sweetness, all brought together.
The Recipe: Whole Wheat Sweet Bread
Imagine a bread that’s not only nutritious but also carries a touch of sweetness, perfect for your morning toast or to accompany your afternoon tea. Here’s what you’ll need:
- ¾ cup warm water
- ¼ cup butter
- 2 eggs
- 3 ¼ cups whole wheat flour
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 2 tbsp milk
- 2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp yeast
Using the Sweet Bread program (program 5) on the Cuisinart Bread Maker ensures a gentle baking process, crucial for managing the delicate balance of sweetness and texture that characterizes this loaf. This program is meticulously designed to bake at lower temperatures, preventing the sugar from darkening the crust too much. It involves stages of kneading, resting, rising, and baking, specifically adjusted to sweet breads which may contain sugar, fruits, or other sweeteners.
Without a Bread Machine? No Problem!
If you don’t have a bread machine, you can still recreate this lovely bread with a bit of manual effort. Start by combining the wet ingredients (water, melted butter, eggs, and milk) in a large bowl. In another bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients (whole wheat flour, sugar, salt, and yeast). Gradually combine the dry mixture into the wet until a dough forms. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 10-15 minutes.
Let the dough rise in a warm place until doubled in size, which should take about 1 to 1.5 hours. Punch down the dough, shape it into a loaf, and place it in a greased loaf pan. Allow it to rise again until it’s about an inch above the rim of the pan. Bake in a preheated oven at around 350°F (175°C) for about 30-35 minutes or until the bread sounds hollow when tapped. This manual process mimics the stages of kneading, rising, and baking similar to the bread machine’s sweet bread program but allows you to add a personal touch to the process.
Embracing the art of bread-making, whether through the technological aid of a bread machine or the traditional hands-on approach, brings a sense of accomplishment and a deeper connection to the food we nourish our bodies with. This whole wheat sweet bread, with its wholesome ingredients and a hint of sweetness, is a celebration of balance and health, embodying the principles of a healthy lifestyle with every slice.
Remember, the journey to a healthier lifestyle doesn’t have to be devoid of sweetness and comfort. It’s about finding balance, embracing natural ingredients, and enjoying the process. So, whether you’re a seasoned baker or trying your hand at bread-making for the first time, let this recipe be a step towards a more balanced and joyful approach to health and wellness. Happy baking, beautiful soul!
Whole Wheat Bread
Ingredients
- ¾ cup warm water
- ¼ cup butter
- 2 eggs
- 3 ¼ cups whole wheat flour
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 2 tbsp milk
- 2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp yeast
Instructions
Using the Bread Machine:
- Prepare the Ingredients: Ensure all your ingredients are at room temperature to help the yeast work best. Lightly beat the eggs before adding them.
- Add Ingredients to the Pan: Starting with the liquids, pour the warm water, melted butter, and beaten eggs into the bread pan. Then, add the dry ingredients on top, starting with the whole wheat flour, then sprinkle the sugar, salt, and finally, yeast. Ensure the yeast doesn’t touch the wet ingredients directly.
- Select the Sweet Bread Program: Choose program 5 on your Cuisinart Bread Maker, designed specifically for sweet bread. This program adjusts the baking temperature to account for the added sugars and ensures the bread cooks thoroughly without burning.
- Choose Loaf Size and Crust Color: If your machine allows, select the loaf size based on the amount of your ingredients and your preferred crust color.
- Start the Machine: Close the lid and press start. The bread machine will take care of the kneading, rising, and baking processes.
- Cool Before Slicing: Once the baking cycle is complete, carefully remove the bread pan using oven mitts, turn it out onto a wire rack, and let the bread cool before slicing to prevent it from becoming gummy.
Without a Bread Machine:
- Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients Separately: In one bowl, mix the warm water, melted butter, lightly beaten eggs, and milk. In another, combine the whole wheat flour, sugar, salt, and yeast.
- Combine and Knead: Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until a dough forms. Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 10-15 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
- First Rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 to 1.5 hours.
- Shape and Second Rise: Punch down the dough, shape it into a loaf, and place it in a greased loaf pan. Cover and let it rise until it’s about an inch above the pan, approximately 45 minutes to an hour.
- Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the bread for 30-35 minutes or until the crust is golden and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped.
- Cool: Remove the bread from the oven, turn it out onto a wire rack, and let it cool before slicing.
