There’s something truly special about the smell of freshly baked bread wafting through your kitchen — and even better when it’s wholesome, homemade whole wheat bread. The best part? This recipe is super beginner-friendly, and while we’ll be using a stand mixer to make the process easier, you can absolutely do it by hand too.
Why Homemade Bread?
Store-bought bread might be convenient, but homemade bread is fresher, healthier, and free from unnecessary preservatives. Plus, it’s a simple way to add a personal touch to your family’s meals.
What Each Ingredient Does in Homemade Whole Wheat Bread
Understanding the role of each ingredient helps you appreciate the recipe even more — and makes it easier to tweak it to your liking. Here’s a quick guide to what each item in this recipe contributes:
1. Whole Wheat Flour: The star of this recipe! Whole wheat flour is made from the entire wheat kernel, giving the bread a rich, nutty flavor and a denser, heartier texture compared to white bread. It’s higher in fiber and nutrients too — making this loaf both wholesome and satisfying.
2. Sugar or Honey: A small amount of sugar or honey not only adds a gentle touch of sweetness but also feeds the yeast, helping it activate and produce carbon dioxide bubbles that make the bread rise. It also contributes to the bread’s golden-brown crust when baking.
3. Instant Dry Yeast: The leavening agent in this recipe. Yeast feeds on the sugar and starches in the flour, releasing gases that cause the dough to expand and become airy.
Instant dry yeast can be mixed directly into the flour without blooming, making the process quicker and easier.
4. Egg: The egg enriches the dough, adding tenderness, structure, and a slight richness to the bread. It also helps bind the ingredients together and contributes to a softer crumb. Plus, it aids in browning the bread as it bakes.
5. Warm Milk: Milk adds richness and moisture to the bread, making it softer and slightly sweeter. It also helps the crust brown better due to the natural sugars in milk.
Tip: Using all milk (instead of combining it with water) results in an even richer, creamier loaf.
6: Warm Water: Water hydrates the flour and activates the yeast. It also helps balance out the richness from the milk, keeping the bread tender without being too heavy.
7. Vegetable Oil or Melted Butter: Fats like oil or butter improve the bread’s texture, making it softer and helping to keep it fresher for longer. They also add a subtle richness to the flavor.
8. Pinch of Salt: Salt strengthens the gluten structure in the dough, enhances flavor, and helps control the yeast’s activity so the dough doesn’t rise too quickly. It’s essential for a well-rounded, balanced taste.
9. Egg Wash (Optional, for brushing before baking): An egg wash (beaten egg mixed with a little water or milk) gives the bread a beautiful shiny, golden-brown finish. It’s optional but adds a bakery-style touch.
10. Melted Butter (Optional, for brushing after baking): If you skip the egg wash, brushing freshly baked bread with melted butter gives it a gorgeous sheen and adds extra flavor to the crust while keeping it soft.
Final Thought
Each ingredient works together to create a loaf that’s wholesome, flavorful, and beautifully textured. Once you understand what each one does, you can start experimenting — adding seeds, herbs, or switching up the flours for your own signature version like my Whole Wheat Raisins Bread.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Combine Dry Ingredients: In the bowl of your stand mixer, add the whole wheat flour, sugar, and instant dry yeast. Give it a quick whisk to evenly distribute everything.
Note: If you’re using active dry yeast or fresh yeast, you’ll need to bloom it first in warm water with a bit of sugar until frothy.
2. Prepare Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, crack in the egg, then add the warm milk, warm water, oil and a pinch of salt. Whisk until fully combined.
Tip: You can use milk only (instead of milk and water) if you prefer a richer, creamier bread.
3. Mix the Dough: Switch to the dough hook attachment on your stand mixer. Turn the mixer to low speed and gradually pour in the wet mixture as it kneads. Let it mix for about 8-10 minutes until the dough becomes soft, smooth, and elastic.
If you don’t have a stand mixer, you can mix the ingredients with a wooden spoon, then knead by hand on a lightly floured surface.
4. First Rise: Lightly grease a clean bowl with oil. Transfer your dough into the bowl, shape it into a ball, and cover with a clean kitchen towel or cling film. Let it rise in a warm place for about 1 to 1½ hours, or until it doubles in size.
5. Shape the Bread: Once risen, punch down the dough to release any air bubbles.
You can either:
- Shape it into two small loaves
- Or one large loaf, depending on your preference.
Grease your baking tin(s) or tray and place the shaped dough inside.
6. Second Rise: Cover the dough again and let it rise for another 30-60 minutes until puffed up.
Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
7. Bake to Perfection: Before baking, you can brush the top with an egg wash for a shiny, golden finish — or skip this step if you prefer a rustic look.
Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped.
If you didn’t use an egg wash before baking, brush the hot bread with melted butter once it comes out of the oven for a beautiful glossy finish.
8. Cool & Serve: Let the bread cool for about 10 minutes in the tin, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. Slice, serve, and enjoy the irresistible freshness of your homemade whole wheat bread!
Final Thoughts
Making homemade bread is easier than you might think — especially with a stand mixer in your kitchen. But don’t let the absence of one stop you; this dough is just as easy to knead by hand. Whether you go for an egg-washed, golden loaf or a butter-glazed rustic finish, this bread is soft, hearty, and perfect for sandwiches, breakfast toasts, or a warm accompaniment to your favorite soups.
Give this recipe a try, and let me know how it turns out!
Tips for Perfect Homemade Whole Wheat Bread
- Make sure your milk & water are warm, not hot — too hot and it will kill the yeast.
- Kneading is key to a soft, airy texture. Don’t rush this step!
- For a softer crust, brush the top with melted butter right after baking.
- Feel free to add seeds, nuts, or dried fruit for extra flavor and texture.
HOMEMADE WHOLE WHEAT BREAD RECIPE VIDEO
Here is a quick video showing how I made these easy and delicious homemade whole wheat bread . You can also subscribe to my YouTube Channel for more recipe videos, kitchen tips & hacks!
MORE AMAZING BREAD & LOAF RECIPES!
Looking for more delicious bread & loaf recipes?! Check out some of my other recipes you’re sure to enjoy!
- Banana Bread
- Whole Wheat Raisins Bread (with instant yeast)
- Homemade Milk Bread (with instant yeast)
- Homemade Milk Bread (with dry yeast)
- Homemade Vegan Bread
- Buttery Garlic Naan Bread
- Simple Butternut Whole Wheat Chapati
- Whole Wheat Chapatis
- Simple Ugandan Chapati Rolex (Flatbread wrap)
- Best Fluffy Whole Lemon Loaf (sugar free, dairy free)
- Chocolate Chip Banana Bread.
- Gluten Free Bread
- Easy Maize Meal Bread (Cornbread)
Homemade Whole Wheat Bread
Ingredients
Method
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In the bowl of your stand mixer, add the whole wheat flour, sugar, and instant dry yeast. Give it a quick whisk to evenly distribute everything.Note: If you’re using active dry yeast or fresh yeast, you’ll need to bloom it first in warm water with a bit of sugar until frothy.
- Prepare Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, crack in the egg, then add the warm milk, warm water, oil and a pinch of salt. Whisk until fully combined.Tip: You can use milk only (instead of milk and water) if you prefer a richer, creamier bread.
- Mix the Dough: Switch to the dough hook attachment on your stand mixer. Turn the mixer to low speed and gradually pour in the wet mixture as it kneads. Let it mix for about 8-10 minutes until the dough becomes soft, smooth, and elastic.If you don’t have a stand mixer, you can mix the ingredients with a wooden spoon, then knead by hand on a lightly floured surface.
- First Rise: Lightly grease a clean bowl with oil. Transfer your dough into the bowl, shape it into a ball, and cover with a clean kitchen towel or cling film. Let it rise in a warm place for about 1 to 1½ hours, or until it doubles in size.
- Shape the Bread: Once risen, punch down the dough to release any air bubbles.You can either: Shape it into two small loaves or one large loaf, depending on your preference.Grease your baking tin(s) or tray and place the shaped dough inside.
- Second Rise: Cover the dough again and let it rise for another 30-60 minutes until puffed up. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Bake to Perfection: Before baking, you can brush the top with an egg wash for a shiny, golden finish — or skip this step if you prefer a rustic look.Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped.If you didn’t use an egg wash before baking, brush the hot bread with melted butter once it comes out of the oven for a beautiful glossy finish.
- Cool & Serve: Let the bread cool for about 10 minutes in the tin, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. Slice, serve, and enjoy the irresistible freshness of your homemade whole wheat bread!
Notes
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