Homemade Whole Wheat Bread with Agave

Here it is, my homemade bread recipe! This is one of my all time keepers. It makes 2 loaves at a time and I keep one to eat and freeze the other. I love the fact that it is 100% Whole Wheat.

If you have never made bread before, don't get discouraged. It takes a few times before you get the hang of the correct consistencies and amount of flour to add. Just remember, don't over-flour, don't overcook, and HAVE FUN! Also, making bread is a fairly long process, you have to let it rise for almost an hour, twice, before you even bake it. You can get other household chores done, do some reading, or watch your favorite TV show while you wait.

I adapted this recipe from the one that I found here.

Homemade Whole Wheat Bread with Agave

1 Tbsp. yeast
1/4 cup warm water
2 & 1/2 cups hot tap water
6-7 cups whole wheat flour
1/4 cup oil
1/4 cup apple sauce
1/3 cup agave nectar
1/2 tbsp. sea salt

1. In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in 1/4 cup warm water. Let sit about 10 minutes.

2. When the yeast is ready, pour the hot tap water in a separate large bowl. Then mix in 3 cups of whole wheat flour, oil, applesauce, agave nectar, sea salt, and the yeast mixture.


3. Mix in 2 more cups of whole wheat flour.

4. Slowly add the remaining 1-2 cups of flour (1/2 cup at a time). Be very careful to not over-flour the dough. Remember, the end product will begin to form into a ball and should still be slightly sticky. Flour a large surface such as your countertop, pour the dough out of the bowl and knead it for 8-10min.

5. Coat a large bowl with oil, form the dough into a ball, then place the dough in the bowl.

6. Place a clean dish towel over the bowl and let the dough rise for 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.


7. IT HAS RISEN!! Spray a large area on your countertop with cooking spray. Dump the dough ball onto the counter and divide into 2 sections. Punch down and re-knead the dough sections into bread shapes and place into greased bread pans.

8. Cover the bread pans with the towel, let rise for about 45 minutes or until they have doubled in size again.
9. Bake the bread loaves at 350 degrees for 25-35 min. the tops of the loaves should be nice and golden brown. When the bread is finished cooking, I like to coat the tops with a little Earth Balance Natural Buttery Spread and a light sprinkle of sea salt.

10. Let the bread cool a few minutes before removing them from the pans. Then place them on a cooling rack until they are no longer warm on the outside. I usually eat a slice at this point! It's just too tempting. ;)

Mmmmmmhmmmm!!!

What is your favorite bread recipe?

love & light,
Claire