Step-by-step tutorial to make soft 100% whole wheat sandwich bread with a 15 minute sponge and only 1 rise. This may be the recipe that finally frees you from store-bought bread!
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I'm so glad you're here - let's finally make perfect, whole wheat sandwich bread!
A number of years ago, before there were blogs, I taught myself to make bread. Through those few years of trying to get it right, my family ate many leaden loaves of bread without complaints (for which I'm eternally grateful!) in my quest for an easy, 100% whole wheat loaf that made great sandwiches and toast.
I've experimented with many different flours (Barley-Rye-Spelt bread, anyone?) and in the end adapted a great recipe that's quick and easy and turns out a consistently good loaf.
This is the recipe that allowed me to stop buying our sandwich bread - really.
I don't want you to have to go through all that, though, so I'm sharing a step-by-step tutorial so that you can start turning out great loaves right away - and free you from store bought sandwich bread forever!
First, though, why bother learning to make your own bread?
- It tastes WONDERFUL.
- You know exactly what's in it.
- It takes less hands-on time than running to the store (a revelation to me, like most of our other pantry basics!)
- It's cheap - these two loaves cost about .75 cents each (and I'm probably over-estimating).
- It just makes you feel good.
- It tastes WONDERFUL.
Convinced? Me, too!
I want to encourage you that you, too, can make bread... I promise. Just give it a try and DO NOT be discouraged by any loaves you may turn out that aren't perfect (they're still good for toast and breadcrumbs)- it's all a part of the learning.
Trust me on this - I know. Just keep practicing.
How to Make Soft 100% Whole Wheat Sandwich Bread
1. Make The Sponge
Combine warm water*, yeast, and 2 cups of flour in the bowl of a stand mixer (this can, of course, be mixed in a bowl by hand- I've just never done it that way...) and let it sit 15 minutes to create a sponge.
*Note: I use warmest tap water without a problem, but if you're unsure, you want to use a thermometer and have your water between 105 and 110 degrees - hotter than this will kill the yeast!
PRO TIP: this is the Kitchenaid mixer I use, after burning out my Artisan lift-top with all the whole wheat loaves I was making weekly. It is an investment, but the benefits are worth it to me, since it does the work of mixing and kneading (as well as being used for other baking recipes).
2. Add oil and then add the honey
Look at how all the honey just slides right out of the cup when added after using it for the oil - no scraping needed. A lovely little trick.
3. Add salt and 4 cups of the flour
You can also add the vital gluten here, if using. You'll mix until the dough starts to look like this:
4. Change to the dough hook and knead
Remove the paddle attachment and change to the dough hook to knead (or for those doing it by hand, turn out on floured surface).
5. Knead for 6-7 minutes (or 10 minutes by hand)
After about 6 minutes, the dough should be cleaning the sides of the bowl. If it is sticking to the sides during the kneading process, you can add a little flour, a tablespoon at a time.
Be careful not to add too much - the dough should feel tacky to your finger when you touch it, but not slick to it. It's okay if the dough still sticks to the bottom of the bowl- in fact with whole wheat it usually will.
BIGGEST TIP: Don't add too much flour - the dough should not roll out of the bowl on its own.
6. Prepare The Pans
Grease two 9 x 5 inch pans* while the dough is kneading. You can use oil, butter, or even line with parchment.
I use a Mr. Misto filled with olive or avocado oil (so I don't have to buy a spray from the store) reusable and frugal! In order to get it in the corners I use a small silicone brush- no stray pieces left like from a regular brush.
*Update TIP: If your loaves aren't rising as much, try making the bread in smaller pans. I now use these 8.5x4.5 USA loaf pans which I love because they don't stick at all!
7. Turn the kneaded dough out onto a floured surface and cut in half
On counters that can't be used for dough, I use a tea towel dusted with a bit of flour- the dough doesn't stick as much, so you use less flour, plus it's easy clean-up.
Smoosh the dough down into an even-looking oval shape that you can cut in half with a dough scraper or regular long knife.
8. Shape the loaves
- a) Pat each half into a fairly even oval the length of the pan. (I used to sweat over trying to shape a loaf - using a rolling pin and making it big, then I realized its not rocket science it only needs to be big enough to roll up a bit.)
- b) Roll up gently.
- c) Pinch the seam together and then pinch the ends and bring them in toward the seam...
- so that it looks like d) when shaped.
9. Place Shaped Loaves into Pans
Fit the shaped loaf into your prepared pan and repeat with the other loaf.
Another reason I like using a towel to shape them: I simply take the tea towel, shake it off gently over the sink, and use it to cover the pans. You can get out a new towel or use plastic wrap if you shaped them on a cutting board.
10. Let The Dough Rise
Set the pans in a warm place. Don't worry too much about this - the counter is fine, even the top of the fridge - just no cold drafts.
I did have a cupboard right above our heating vent that was always warm in the winter, so I'd often use that. But when it's warm out, the counter works fine.
Timing: Set a timer for 50 minutes, then turn the oven to 350 degrees to preheat for the last 10 minutes of rising time.
11. Bake
When the loaves have risen 1/2 inch to 1 inch above the pans (1 hour for the loaves pictured above), put them in the preheated 350 degree oven for 15 minutes, then turn them around for even cooking and bake another 15 minutes, for 30 minutes total.
Notice one is bigger than the other? It really isn't about perfection around here - the bigger one seems to have a growth on the side, too - it's a bubble and I just don't worry about these things!
12. Take the loaves out of the oven
Remove the loaves after 30 min. To make sure they are done you can do a test, turning them out and knocking on the bottom for a hollow sound, but if your oven is truly at 350 they will always be done at 30 min. - I never test with this recipe anymore.
Let the loaves cool in the pans for 10 minutes and then run a spatula around the edges right away to loosen any sticking parts.
PRO TIP: See that completely flat spatula? It's one of my favorite cooking tools - this spatula is just the BEST. It's plastic, but sorta sharp for a spatula, so it gets EVERY last bit of dough from a bowl and is better at loosening things out of pans than knives because it's not sharp enough to actually cut through anything.
13. Let Cool On Racks
Turn the loaves out onto racks and let cool at least 30 min. to 1 hour before cutting or you're going to smush the bread down when you try to cut it! I know it's hard, but have patience, it will be worth it in the end.
Then, if you're like me, cut off one of the lovely ends, spread it with just a bit of real butter and bite into that soft, crispy wonderfulness...there's just something about fresh-out-of-the-oven bread!
Cool the loaves completely before storing or freezing.
Soft Whole Wheat Sandwich Bread FAQs
The standard answer is to store bread wrapped in a bag (linen or plastic) at room temperature for 2-3 days and to never refrigerate it because that makes it go stale faster.
However, it will often mold before we eat it, so I do regularly refrigerate our bread! It's perfectly fine for toast and will soften up with a warming in a toaster oven.
Also, a tip is to separate the loaves into halves if your household doesn't eat that much bread and freeze the parts you aren't using for later.
Double wrap each loaf in plastic bags (reused from produce bags work) and freeze until you need them, up to 4 months. You can freeze whole or cut before freezing (I always cut before so the slices are easy to remove). They freeze beautifully and you'll never have to run to the store for bread again!
This is one of the most-asked questions I've gotten over the years. Since I don't have a machine and the machines all have different capacities, I'm pointing you to this article from King Arthur Flour: How to convert your favorite recipes to a bread machine.
Update on Using Vital Gluten: As of November of 2010, I no longer add the extra gluten listed in my original recipe. I've read that Americans get too much gluten in our daily diets and I just feel better not using it. My loaves are still fine for our family, but are probably not quite as high as the loaves pictured here. I've listed it as optional now in the recipe.
Soft 100% Whole Wheat Sandwich Bread
Equipment
- Two 9x5 inch OR 8.5x4.5 inch loaf pans
Ingredients
- 6 to 6½ cups whole wheat flour*
- 2½ cups warm water between 105-110 degrees
- 1½ tablespoons instant active dry yeast OR regular active dry yeast
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/3 cup oil**
- 2½ teaspoons salt
- 1½ tablespoons vital wheat gluten OPTIONAL (I don't use this anymore)
Instructions
- Combine water, yeast and 2 cups of the flour in a mixing bowl. Set aside to sponge for 15-20 minutes, until risen and bubbly (warmer weather takes 15 min, cooler temps usually needs 20).
- Add honey, oil, salt, (plus gluten, if using), and 4 cups of flour. Mix until dough starts to clean sides of bowl. Change to dough hook (or turn out to knead by hand), and knead 6 to 7 minutes (10 by hand). Add only a few tablespoons of flour at a time if dough sticks to sides, being careful not to add too much.
- Form into two loaves and place in greased 9x5 pans (or 8.5x4.5 inch pans for a better rise). Allow to rise in a warm place for about 60 minutes, until 1/2 to 1-inch above pans (you may need 15-30 minutes longer if your kitchen is cold, but don't over rise or the loaf will fall when baked). Preheat oven to 350 degrees ten minutes before rising time is done.
- Bake for 30 minutes, rotating halfway through if needed.
- Immediately remove from pans to cool on a rack. Allow to completely cool before slicing.***
Notes
Nutrition
More bread recipes you might like:
The Original Soft 100% Whole Wheat Rolls
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Stella says
Best whole-wheat recipe. Should this bread be “baked” or “convection” baked. I’m always wonder.
Jami says
Unless it specifies convection, recipes are always regular baking, as is this one. I don't really do much convection baking because my results haven't been consistent. 🙂 I've heard it dries out things like bread and cake anyway...
JJ says
I've been searching for the perfect whole wheat sandwich bread recipe to bake weekly for my family. This is the third recipe I've tried, and the flavor and texture are absolutely amazing! It's a keeper!
I do have a few kinks to work out due to my unique situation: I live at 8,000 ft. elevation and am new to milling my own flour. My first loaf rose beautifully, but then flattened when I shifted it to the oven to bake. After baking, there was a large air pocket (tunnel) near the top of the loaf. I have a few ideas for modifications to try on my next attempt, but I would also welcome any suggestions.
Jami says
I'm so glad you found this recipe to be as wonderful as I think!
When that's happened to me, it's usually because of overproofing. Maybe it was warm in your kitchen or you have some situation that bread rises more quickly? I'll leave it for less time and go by how it looks and not the clock (it should be just barely over the edge of the pans). Hopefully that will help some!
Rosemary says
If kneading in the mixer with the dough hook, what speed should the mixer be at?
Jami says
I use a Kitchenaid and the directions state to not use it above level 2 if using a dough hook so that's what I use to knead dough.
Stephanie says
Thank you!! I am new to bread making. I needed a 100% whole wheat bread and I came across your recipe. I’ve been making it for two months now and my husband loves it. I use freshly milled hard white wheat. Extra virgin olive oil or light olive oil.
My only problem is I have a small stand mixer and it can only mix one loaf at a time. Oh well. Very glad to have a good everyday bread recipe!
Jami says
Wow, new to bread making and grinding your own wheat - kudos to you, Stephanie!
I'm so glad you are able to make bread regularly with this recipe!
Stephanie says
Yeah, I had to grind my own wheat due to newly discovered food allergies in the family- needed to make sure there weren’t any additives in the flour. So glad this recipe has worked well for us. Making another loaf tomorrow!
Laurie says
Can I put all ingredients in a bread machine and make it this way?
Jami says
I think some comments said they successfully did this, though this recipe makes 2 loaves so you'd need to cut it in half, I'd guess?
Amy says
This had been my go to bread recipe for quite a while now, and the one I send to everyone interested in making bread for their family! It's so easy and versatile, and makes a great bread for every day use!
I sub out whatever sugar I have on hand, sometimes honey, but this week I happened to have coconut sugar I got as a gift that I didn't like in anything. It made for amazing bread. I also tried adding in a cup of leftover, cooked oatmeal this week. I let the initial sponge go a little longer than usual to really get the gluten going (I just left it while I took my kid to preschool) and ended up using maybe a half cup more flour than usual since it had extra fluid, and it turned out amazing! Seriously, this recipe is so good as is, and such an amazing jumping off point to try out different things, too!
Jami says
Wow - that sounds great, Amy - what a wonderful adaptation! I've never thought how coconut sugar could make it taste different.
Thank you so much for your review!
Brenda says
Have you tried this with home-milled flour?
Jami says
I haven't but some others have in the comments with success. I would use more of what the dough should look like more than exact measurements, as the home-milled flour absorbs more water, and you may have to add more water or use less flour.
Nadia says
I'm going to try this. With all the Round Up in our grains and ridiculous bread prices, I've started baking bread the last 2 months and getting the hang of it. I've been ordering organic non gmo flour from Azure Standards . My whole wheat recipe is ok so I like the sound of this being softer and only one rise. You are very practical and simplify things. Thanks Jami!
Jami says
Good for you, Nadia! I think you will love this as much as I do 🙂
Andrea says
I'm new to whole wheat bread (have only ever tried my hand at sourdough). I got a beautiful rise at 50 minutes (let rise in the oven with light on for some heat- it's a bit chilly here today), but I took the loaves out as I was going to preheat the oven, and they deflated a lot! I guess I'd need to just immediately put in the oven as soon as the rise is achieved? Someone else mentioned reshaping and proofing again... thoughts? Thank you for sharing this recipe! Can't wait to eat the bread.
Jami says
Ah, they overproofed (spent too long proofing too fast). The light in your oven must've done its job! You want to watch the loaves and not let them get more than 1/2-1 inch over the top of the pan, which could happen at different times for different kitchens/situations.
You need to preheat the oven, so you wouldn't be able to just leave them - and if they're overproofed, they will deflate when cooked, as well.
You can reshape and proof again - and watch the progress. 🙂
M Dunham says
I just made this and dang is it good! I recently started experimenting with bread baking after some recent health issues as a matter of controlling what's in my food. I just assumed 100% whole wheat bread was going to be dense, heavy and dry (most I've seen use a mix of white and whole wheat flours), but not this. I'm eating a sandwich as I'm typing this and have the second loaf in the freezer. So simple with easy to follow directions! This is going into my regular rotation, no more store bought sandwich bread for me.
Thank you for sharing this!
Jami says
Yay!! I'm so glad this will be in your rotation now!
Lazy K says
My first thought is "What? You only let it rise once?" I've never heard of shaping a loaf directly after kneading but I'm willing to give it a try. I also use fresh ground wheat berries for whole wheat bread and let the flour soak in the liquid (that is called out in the recipe) over night. Helps the wheat flour absorb the liquid better.
Jami says
One of the reasons I love this recipe - hope you enjoy it!
Lazy K says
Well, it was an experience I must say. I followed the directions (I added the gluten), shaped the dough, set my timer and walked away. In one hour I was back and YIKES! The dough was flat,over proofed and oozing over the Edges of the pans ( I used the larger bread pans). So I dumped the dough back out on the counter, reshaped it, put it back in the pans for 25 minutes for a second proof, baked it and Voila! Two perfect loaves of bread. Delicious! I live at 7000 ft altitude and sometimes baking can have unexpected results!
I'll try this recipe again using a shorter proof time and see if I can master the One Rise method.
Jami says
Wow, so glad that turned out for you! That literally had never happened for me. 😀
Every kitchen is different, though, and we've got to do what works in ours with bread baking!
Thanks for updating and the review!
Paula Lauer says
I really appreciate your comment. I live at 6500 feet and have been making this recipe for a long time (using organic regular unbleached flour) and I’m always trying to figure out ways to avoid over proofing. I decreased the yeast by a quarter tablespoon but that was is not always enough. Funny thing, one time I was out of oil and only had bacon grease, so I used that and it made the bread less crumbly.
Kristina says
I haven’t bought bread in a few months thanks to this recipe. It always turns out for me, but it’s been noticeably softer when I use avocado oil vs olive oil. Yum!
Jami says
I'm so glad you like this, Kristina, and I love that tip - I'll have to give that a try!
Hellen says
This recipe needs a thousand stars,however l let my dough raise for an hour and roll into the bread pans let it raise again and baked awesomeness
Jami says
Thank you for the 1000 stars, Hellen, and your tip!
Kristi says
I have used this recipe a few times, and it always bakes perfectly. I am new to bread making and have tried a few other recipes that I couldn't get right 😩 This one was easy to follow and and worked on the first try. The whole family loves it! This morning I am experimenting using it as cinnamon roll dough (which is currently rising) fingers crossed I do it all correctly 🤞
Jami says
I'm so glad your family enjoys this bread, Kristi! It was the same for me - when I came up with this, it was the keeper. 🙂
David Centner says
This recipe makes wonderful bread, but I had some initial difficulty with it. Not all cups of flour ar equal, I am milling my own flour, and I am using an Anskarsum mixer to knead the dough. The first time through I added too much flour. It would be very helpful if you would indicate the weight of the flour since many home bread bakers, like me, ordinarily work with weight and baker's percentages, not volume measures.
Jami says
Thanks for the review, David!
I find there are so many variables with bread that over the years of baking, I now go mostly by what I know it should look and feel like. I never add the full amount of flour until I see what is going on with the dough, especially if I'm using whole grain flours. I really encourage you to do this for new recipes, as your kitchen (temp, humidity, etc.), tools, and flour all make a difference.
That said, I know that many readers feel better with weights, so I'm trying to add them to recipes. It's still not exact, though, as you can find different weights from a cup of flour on KA website vs. a google search. This article explains a bit: https://pastrieslikeapro.com/2017/04/frustrating-facts-measuring-flour/
Kristi says
Jami, I've been baking bread 'by hand & by feel' for over 45 years...and I ventured into home milling this years. I don't think you understand the particular challenge home millers face, and why it's pretty-much essential that they have the weight of the flour before trying & tweaking & tweaking & retrying & retweaking a recipe that's designed for store-bought whole grain (or other) flours. It has to do with a much 'fluffier' volume & and different need for fluid. We already understand the challenge, and there is no 'chart' or method that can do the conversion (at least not from whole grain flours to whole grain home milled flours).
>BUT, if we have the actual weight of the grain you're using, it's possible for us to have a success on the first try-or-two of your recipe. But without the actual weight, we can try-and-fail many times.
>SO, on behalf of all the home millers out there, I want to share it would be a great courtesy to us (for very little effort on your part), if you would simply weigh out the "6 to 6 1/2 cups of flour" you use...and let us know here (and possibly update your blog for others).
THANK YOU for your consideration & kindness.
Jami says
Thanks for the explanation, Kristi. I am working to add the weights to recipes.
Dani says
One cup of flour is 120grams.
Nichole Ramalingam says
This bread turned out perfectly. I followed the recipe to a T. Great height and crumb. My 2 and 4 year old children loved it. Thank you so much for the recipe!!!
Jami says
Glad you all loved it, Nichole - thanks so much for the review!