Whole Wheat Sandwich Bread

Steps

• Soak: Stir the whole wheat flour and warm water together into a shaggy paste, cover, and let sit while you gather everything else.
  ⏱ Start 20 min timer

  Tip: This is the step most whole wheat recipes skip. Even 20 minutes lets the bran soften and stop cutting up the gluten you're about to build.

• Dough: Stir the yeast and honey into the warm milk and let stand until foamy.
  ⏱ Start 8 min timer
• Dough: Add the milk mixture, melted butter, and salt to the soaked flour and mix, then work in the white flour a half-cup at a time.
• Dough: Knead 10 minutes — this dough takes longer than a white loaf to come together smoothly because of the bran.
• Rise: Cover and let rise until doubled.
  ⏱ Start 60 min timer
• Shape: Shape into a loaf and place in a greased 9x5 pan. Cover and let rise until crowned above the rim.
  ⏱ Start 40 min timer
• Bake: Bake at 190°C (375°F) until deeply golden and hollow-sounding when tapped.
  ⏱ Start 33 min timer
• Cool: Cool at least 20 minutes before slicing.
  ⏱ Start 20 min timer