Soft & Buttery Whole Wheat Sandwich Bread

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There’s something magical about the aroma of freshly baked bread filling your kitchen. And when it’s a wholesome, homemade loaf made with whole wheat flour, it’s even better — delicious, nourishing, and free from preservatives. Today, I’m sharing my go-to Soft & Buttery Whole Wheat Sandwich Bread recipe. It’s soft, lightly sweetened, and incredibly easy to make whether you’re kneading by hand or using a mixer. Perfect for breakfast toast, sandwiches, or simply slathered with your favorite spread.

The role of each ingredient in this Soft & Buttery Whole Wheat Sandwich Bread

• Whole Wheat Bread Flour: This flour forms the base of your bread, providing structure and a hearty, wholesome flavor. Whole wheat flour contains the entire grain (bran, germ, and endosperm), which gives it a denser texture and richer nutritional profile compared to white flour. It also absorbs more liquid and contributes to a nuttier taste.
• All-Purpose Flour: Blending all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour helps soften the overall texture of the bread. Whole wheat on its own can make bread quite dense, so adding all-purpose flour lightens the crumb while still offering structure and elasticity for a well-balanced loaf.
• Warm Water: Water hydrates the flour, activates the yeast, and helps dissolve the sugar and salt. It forms the basis of the dough’s consistency, allowing gluten to develop properly for a chewy and structured bread.
• Warm Whole Milk: Milk adds richness, tenderness, and a slightly sweet flavor. It also contributes to a softer crumb and gives the crust a lovely golden color when baked, thanks to the natural sugars and proteins in milk.
• Instant Dry Yeast: Yeast is the leavening agent that makes the bread rise. It feeds on the sugar in the dough, producing carbon dioxide gas and alcohol. The gas gets trapped in the dough’s gluten structure, causing it to expand and rise while developing flavor.
• Sugar: Sugar serves a few important roles: Feeds the yeast, helping it activate and rise faster, Adds a subtle sweetness to balance the earthy whole wheat flavor and Aids in browning the crust during baking through caramelization.
• Unsalted Butter: Butter enriches the dough, making it soft, tender, and flavorful. It also contributes to a finer, more tender crumb and slows down staling, helping the bread stay fresh a little longer. Using unsalted butter gives you better control over the overall saltiness.
• Salt: Salt does more than season your bread — it: Enhances overall flavor, Strengthens gluten structure, making the dough more elastic and resilient and Controls yeast activity, preventing it from growing too quickly and giving the dough time to develop flavor.

Step By Step Instructions of the Soft & Buttery Whole Wheat Sandwich Bread

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the warm water, warm milk, sugar, and instant dry yeast. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until it turns foamy. This step ensures your yeast is alive and ready to work.

Step 2: Start the Dough

Add the butter and salt to the yeast mixture, followed by about 1 cup of the flour mixture (a combination of the whole wheat and all-purpose flour). Stir until combined.

Step 3: Knead the Dough

Gradually add the remaining flour, kneading as you go. You can do this by hand on a lightly floured surface or using a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook. Knead until the dough is soft, elastic, and slightly tacky but not sticky. This should take about 8-10 minutes by hand or 5-7 minutes with a mixer.

Step 4: First Rise

Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a lightly greased bowl. Cover with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm spot for 1-2 hours, or until doubled in size.

Step 5: Shape the Loaf

Once risen, punch down the dough to release the air. Roll it out into a rectangle, then form it into a log. Place the shaped dough into a greased loaf tin.

Step 6: Second Rise

Cover and let the dough rise again for about 1 hour, until it has puffed up nicely.

Step 7: Bake

Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Bake the bread for 30-34 minutes, until it’s golden brown on top and sounds hollow when tapped.

Step 8: Cool and Serve

Remove from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Step 9: Enjoy!

Slice and serve your homemade whole wheat bread as is, toasted, or however you like it. It’s perfect with butter, jam, avocado, or even as a hearty sandwich base.

Pro Tip:
For an extra soft crust, brush the top of your bread with melted butter right after it comes out of the oven.

More Bread Recipes You’ll Love:

Looking for more easy & delicious bread recipes?! Check out some of my other recipes you’re sure to enjoy!

• How To Make Homemade Whole Wheat Bread
• Banana Bread
• Easy Maize Meal Bread (Cornbread)
• Simple Ugandan Chapati Rolex (Flatbread wrap)
• Buttery Garlic Naan Bread
• Whole Wheat Raisins Bread (with instant yeast)
• Homemade Milk Bread (with instant yeast)
• Gluten Free Pumpkin Bread
• Chocolate Chip Banana Bread.
• Gluten Free Bread
• Homemade Vegan Bread
• Homemade Milk Bread (with dry yeast)

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