Whole Wheat Bread

This post may contain affiliate sales links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Based on my classic white bread recipe, this is my simple Whole Wheat Bread recipe. Made with yeast and made easy with all of my tips and tricks! Perfect with butter, jams, honey, etc!

Try my honey butter recipe with this bread.

Whole Wheat Bread

If you’ve been following this blog for some time, this Whole Wheat Bread recipe might look a little familiar. That’s because it is based on my homemade white bread recipe! I replace some of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat and baby are we in business. You get the same soft fluffy crumb with a bit more texture and color from the whole wheat flour. You still gotta work for this bread though, however that’ll be easier with all of my tips and tricks found below. Oh, and did I mention this recipe makes TWO loaves?

Main Ingredients Needed

Here is everything you’ll need to make this whole wheat bread. This list may look a little familiar if you’ve made my homemade white bread recipe 🙂

• Warm Water + Honey – warm water (~100F) is not only used to dissolve the honey but also to help activate the yeast. The honey is for flavor and to also help the yeast proof quicker.
• Yeast – this is where all of the magic happens! I buy the packets of yeast for ease, but any kind or brand of active dry yeast is fine. Just make sure its not expired.
• All Purpose Flour + Whole Wheat Flour – I used a blend of both all purpose flour and whole wheat flour to make this yeasted dough a little easier to manage. Side note: you won’t need all of the whole wheat flour listed in the recipe card, just enough to get the dough to be where it needs to be.
• Sugar –  I like my bread on the slightly sweeter side, so I add in 1/4 cup (which equates to 2 tablespoons per loaf…so not *that* sweet overall.)
• Salt – do not forget the salt! This makes an enormous difference in the finished product.
• Butter – adds flavor and the fat adds texture too.

Working with Yeast Tips + Tricks

Nervous to work with yeast? Scared this whole wheat bread recipe won’t work for you? RELAX! Take a breath and read my tips and tricks:

• First things first is check your yeast. Make sure it is fresh and not past it’s expiration date. This recipe calls for active dry yeast, not fast acting, quick rise yeast (though that would totally work in a pinch).
• Use warm water and honey to activate your yeast. If you are concerned about killing your yeast by using water that is too hot, err on the side of too cold. You’re looking for lukewarm water, the temperature baby bath water would be.
• You’ll know your yeast is activated if you see foam and small bubbles forming at the top of your water-yeast mixture after 5-10 minutes.
• If you don’t see any bubbles or any sign that your yeast is alive, throw it out and start again. You get soft and airy bread from yeast that creates air bubbles as it rises and then bakes.
• I recommend kneading by hand because you are much less likely to over-knead and add too much flour. If you are using a stand mixer, you’ll have to watch it carefully to ensure you get the right texture. You’re looking for a slightly tacky, smooth dough that doesn’t stick to your hands.

How to Make Whole Wheat Bread

For full details on how to make Whole Wheat Bread, see the recipe card down below 🙂

Step 1: Proof Yeast

In a liquid measuring cup, stir warm water together with yeast and honey. Set aside 10 minutes to proof and bubble up.

Step 2: Make Dough + Knead

In a large bowl, add 3 cups all-purpose flour, 1 cup of whole wheat flour, sugar, salt, and melted butter. Stir together gently. Create a well in the middle and pour in the yeast mixture.

Start mixing using a large spoon until a dough forms. Switch to kneading with your hands, sprinkling whole wheat flour into the dough until it is smooth and slightly sticky. It should feel tacky, but not stick to your hands. This process should take about 6 minutes. DO NOT pour the entire amount of whole wheat flour onto the dough and try to knead it in. YOU WILL get a tough, dry dough. Just go little by little to get the texture you’re looking for.

Step 3: Rise, Divide + Rise

Place dough into a well-greased bowl and roll around to coat. Cover gently with a clean kitchen towel and rise 1 hour or until doubled in size.

Remove dough from bowl and divide into two even amounts. Gently press into two rectangles the width of your loaf pans. Roll up to form a log and place it into each greased loaf pan. Cover and rise again for about 45 minutes or until doubled in size.

Step 4: Bake + Cool

After about 30 minutes or rising, preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Bake loaves for 30-40 minutes or until completely cooked through. Try to not overbake! Cool 20 minutes in pans before removing to cooling racks. Cool completely before cutting into slices.

Optional step: when bread is removed from the oven and still hot, rub the tops with butter.

Storing Whole Wheat Bread

There are two main strategies for storing whole wheat bread, room temperature or in the fridge (both stored in airtight containers). However, there are a couple of things to consider before you decide how to store your loaves. Room temp shelf life is about 3 days while refrigerator shelf life is about 5 days. So you’ll notice mold growing a little sooner if you store it at room temperature. If you store it in the fridge though, you might find that your bread is drier. Choose accordingly depending on your family’s needs. You could also share a loaf with a neighbor or friend if you can only handle one.

Freezing Instructions

Luckily for you, you also have the option of freezing your whole wheat bread! You can do this either after it’s baked or before. Here’s how to do both:

Baked

To freeze this bread after baking, make the recipe in its entirety. After the loaves have cooled completely, place them into an airtight container or bag and freeze. It Will last in the freezer for up to 3 months.

To defrost, simply transfer bread from the freezer to the fridge until it’s fully defrosted. If you’re wanting to use this bread for sandwiches, I recommend cutting it into slices before freezing.

Unbaked

To freeze this bread before baking, make the recipe as listed. After the first rise, form into loaves, place into loaf pans (I’d recommend the disposable ones) and immediately cover well and freeze.

To bake, remove from the freezer, defrost and rise (should take 6-8 hours on the counter). Then bake according to recipe directions. The unbaked dough will last in the freezer for up to 4 months.

Loved this Whole Wheat Bread? Check out these other recipes:

• Whole Wheat Pizza Dough
• Whole Wheat Rolls
• Whole Wheat Baking Soda Biscuits
• Whole Wheat Freezer Rolls

My family loves this recipe, and so do I since it’s healthier for them!

The printable recipe card is down below, enjoy friends 🙂

PrintPrint Pin ItPin It

4.78 from 9 votes

Whole Wheat Bread

A simple Whole Wheat Bread recipe made with yeast and made easy with all of my tips and tricks! Perfect with butter, jams, honey, etc!

servings 24 slices (2 loaves total)

Prep Time 2 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Total Time 3 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

• ▢ 2 cups warm water
• ▢ .5 oz active dry yeast 2 packets
• ▢ 1/4 cup honey
• ▢ 3 cups all purpose flour unbleached
• ▢ 3 cups whole wheat flour you will need anywhere from 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 cups
• ▢ 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• ▢ 2 teaspoons salt
• ▢ 1/4 cup butter melted

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

• In a liquid measuring cup, stir warm water together with yeast and honey. Set aside 10 minutes to proof and bubble up.
• In a large bowl, add 3 cups all purpose flour, 1 cup of whole wheat flour, sugar, salt and melted butter. Stir together gently. Create a well in the middle and pour in the yeast mixture.
• Start mixing using a large spoon until a dough forms. Switch to kneading with your hands, sprinkling whole wheat flour into the dough until it is smooth and slightly sticky. It should feel tacky, but not stick to your hands. This process should take about 6 minutes. DO NOT pour entire amount of whole wheat flour onto dough and try to knead it in. YOU WILL get a tough, dry dough. Just go little by little to get the texture you’re looking for.
• Place dough into a well greased bowl and roll around to coat. Cover gently with a clean kitchen towel and rise 1 hour or until doubled in size.
• Remove dough from bowl and divide into two even amounts. Gently press into two rectangles the width of your loaf pans. Roll up to form a log and place into each greased loaf pan. Cover and rise again for about 45 minutes or until doubled in size.
• After about 30 minutes or rising, preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Bake loaves for 30-40 minutes or until completely cooked through. Try to not over bake!
• Optional step: when bread is removed from the oven and still hot, rub the tops with butter.
• Cool 20 minutes in pans before removing to cooling racks. Cool completely before cutting into slices. Store in airtight containers in the refrigerator to keep up to 4 days. OR place into the freezer.

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice | Calories: 146kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 211mg | Potassium: 79mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 60IU | Vitamin C: 0.02mg | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 1mg

Course: Breads

Cuisine: American

Keyword: whole wheat bread