100% Whole Wheat Bread Recipe (2024)

100% Whole Wheat Bread Recipe (1)

35 Comments / baking, bread, cooking, recipe, whole wheat / By Heather Jackson

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I have been working really hard to find the best 100% whole wheat bread recipe for our family.

These are the criteria I wanted to accomplish:

  • Soft crust for sandwiches
  • Easy to make
  • Makes 2 loaves at a time
  • No crazy ingredients
  • No refined sugar
  • Tastes good

Clearly, I wasn’t asking for much.

I have been trying different recipes and taking bits and pieces from each. I think I have finally hit on a bread that really works for us. It is kid and husband approved, so I hope you like it too!

100% Whole Wheat Bread Recipe (2)
**A few notes: when I say “warm water” I mean water that feels just slightly above body temperature. Too hot and you kill the yeast, so it’s better to be too cold than too hot. You can substitute butter for coconut oil or honey for maple syrup. Use what you have! Also, I have written these instructions for a KitchenAid mixer*affiliate link* because that is what I have. It should be easy enough to do this by hand if you don’t have a mixer. The kneading step is very minimal.
***Most of my bread making supplies are purchased through Amazon as “subscribe and save” items. I have included a link at the bottom of the post in case they aren’t something you generally keep on hand.

100% Whole Wheat Sandwich Bread

100% Whole Wheat Bread Recipe (4)Heather Jackson

This 100% Whole Wheat Bread recipe rises three times, but the dough is a dream to work with and the taste and texture are excellent!

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Ingredients

  • 2-1/2 cups warm water
  • 2 tbsp . yeast
  • 1/2 cup coconut oil or substitute butter
  • 1/2 cup maple syrup or substitute honey
  • 1 tbsp . salt
  • 6-1/2 cups whole wheat flour

Instructions

  • Pour water into mixing bowl and add yeast. Let sit 5-10 minutes.Meanwhile melt together coconut oil and maple syrup. Remember not to get this too hot or you will kill your yeast. Coconut oil is liquid at 76°.

  • Pour oil/syrup mixture and salt to the mixing bowl. With paddle attachment on low speed (speed 1) add flour a little at a time while mixing.

  • When it has all been added, swap to a dough hook and turn speed up to knead dough just long enough to make sure the dough isn't sticking too much to the side of the bowl. If it is too sticky, add more flour a tablespoon at a time.

  • The dough is perfect when it forms a nice ball. Remove dough hook, cover bowl with a clean towel and set in a warm place. Let rise 1 hour or until the dough reaches the top of the bowl.

  • Punch dough and let rise for another hour.

  • Next grease 2 loaf pans and divide the dough into 2 balls. Pick up one ball and stretch it until it is a rectangle about as long as your bread pan.

  • Now roll the dough into a log the best you can and place in the pan. Do the same with the second ball, cover both pans with your cloth and let rise one more hour.

  • Bake in a 350° oven for approximately 35 minutes. I normally have to tent mine loosely at 25 minutes with tin foil to keep from burning the top. It should be nicely brown on the top and sound hollow when you tap on it. Turn bread out onto a cooling rack.

Notes

It will slice much more nicely when it is cool, but I usually go ahead and have a slice or two while it is hot and slathered with butter. Bliss!

(Some people use the rolling pin instead of stretching, but I avoid rolling pins whenever I can!)

Here are some pictures in case you are new to baking your own bread. Please don’t judge the photo quality! Both of my camera batteries died right as I started baking, so I took most of these with my phone!

100% Whole Wheat Bread Recipe (5)
Yeast and water mixture starting to foam
100% Whole Wheat Bread Recipe (6)
After a brief kneading, the dough comes together to form a rough ball.
100% Whole Wheat Bread Recipe (7)
After 1 hour rising. This is ready to be punched down and allowed to rise again.
100% Whole Wheat Bread Recipe (8)
Dough shaped and in the pans for the last rising.

For more great recipes, be sure to check out my cookbook, The Homestead Kitchen! *affiliate link*


100% Whole Wheat Bread Recipe (9)100% Whole Wheat Bread Recipe (10)

***This post contains affiliate links. That means that a small percentage of the purchase price of items bought through my links goes toward keeping this blog up and running and food in Beulah’s bowl, so thanks!***

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100% Whole Wheat Bread Recipe (11)

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100% Whole Wheat Sandwich Bread

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3.5100% Whole Wheat Bread Recipe (12)100% Whole Wheat Bread Recipe (13)100% Whole Wheat Bread Recipe (14)100% Whole Wheat Bread Recipe (15)100% Whole Wheat Bread Recipe (16) Based on 19 Review(s)

100% Whole Wheat Bread Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is considered 100% whole wheat bread? ›

The word "whole" is crucial here: It means that the bran, the germ, and the endosperm of the wheat kernel have all been left intact. The bread is made up entirely of wheat kernels (as opposed to being mixed with other grains).

How healthy is 100% whole wheat bread? ›

Good bread makes your body happy

The benefits of eating 100% whole-wheat or whole-grain far surpass just the taste. Eating whole-grain foods within an overall healthy diet helps to lower your risk for many diseases, including: Stroke. Diabetes.

How long does 100% whole wheat bread last? ›

Place loaf in resealable bag or airtight container, then seal tightly (I use bread bags). Store at room temperature away from appliances for up to 7 days.

Why is 100% whole wheat bread so heavy? ›

The bran in whole wheat flour weakens the gluten strands by cutting into them and disrupting the gluten matrix. This decreases the overall extensibility and elasticity of the dough so that it cannot hold onto as much carbon dioxide – resulting in a denser bread.

How can you tell if bread is 100% whole grain? ›

You want to see the words “whole grain” or “100 percent whole” flour as the first ingredient. If the first ingredient is just “wheat” or there are subsequent ingredients like any sort of starch, maltodextrin, or even white rice flour, you know that the bread isn't 100 percent whole grain.

Is Dave's Killer bread 100 percent whole wheat? ›

With a smooth texture and a touch of sweetness, 100% Whole Wheat bread is the perfect seedless bread for everything from sandwiches to french toast. Dave's Killer Bread 100% Whole Wheat 4.4 out of 5 stars.

Is it OK to eat whole wheat bread everyday? ›

Whole grains provide more vitamins, minerals, and fiber than refined. But overdoing whole wheat bread can add pounds, too. So account for it in your daily calorie budget.

Does 100 whole wheat bread turn to sugar? ›

You see, when you eat a grain, it is quickly converted in the body to a sugar. Yes, even the organic, whole grain kind! When you eat your slice of 100% whole wheat bread you receive approximately 2 grams of fiber, but you consume 20 grams of carbohydrates (starch and sugar) and 100 calories.

Can you freeze 100% whole wheat bread? ›

Leftovers: Because this bread has no additives or preservatives, if you want it to last longer, place it in the refrigerator or freeze. This bread freezes really well.

Is Pepperidge Farm 100 whole wheat bread healthy? ›

Always crafted with 100% Whole Grain flour, Pepperidge Farm Whole Grain Thin Sliced breads are delicious and a good source of fiber per two slices… our way of helping you maintain a balanced, healthy lifestyle.

Is 100% whole wheat bread hard to digest? ›

Whole wheat bread is more healthful than white bread but is high in fiber and can be difficult for some people to eat. If a person has trouble digesting whole wheat toast, the first step is to try it plain without butter. For additional flavor, choose fruit jellies over creamy spreads, such as nut butter.

Do you need more yeast for whole wheat flour? ›

Because yeast has to work harder to make whole wheat flour rise, we'll use slightly more yeast in this dough compared to my regular pizza dough recipe. You need 1 Tablespoon (8.5g).

Can you lose weight eating 100 whole wheat bread? ›

Including whole-grain bread in your diet can help support your weight-loss goals. But eating this carb won't guarantee that you will achieve your weight-loss goals in minutes. Whole-grain bread should be included as part of an overall balanced and healthy diet and lifestyle to support weight loss.

Can I mix bread flour and whole wheat flour? ›

You can make this bread 100% whole wheat, or you can use a combination of whole wheat and bread flour for a slightly taller, fluffier loaf. It's wonderfully soft and flavorful either way! If you're new to working with yeast, reference my Baking with Yeast Guide for answers to common yeast FAQs.

How to identify real whole wheat bread? ›

Review ingredients lists and aim for products with “whole grain” as their first or second ingredient. Choose foods that include the word “whole” or “whole grain” in their ingredients, like “whole wheat flour.” Don't be fooled by the product's color. Just because a bread is brown doesn't mean it's whole grain.

What is the difference between 100 whole wheat and multigrain bread? ›

Thus, when we talk about 100% whole wheat bread, the loaf contains the entire grain of wheat and all nutritious parts as ingredients. Multigrain bread contains various types of grains. You might find wheat, flax, barley, oats and even seeds in multigrain vs. whole wheat bread that only consists of one grain type.

What is the healthiest bread to eat? ›

Next time you're at the store, look for the following options to find a healthy bread you like.
  • Wholegrain bread. Wholegrain bread is minimally processed and made with flour from fully intact grains. ...
  • Multigrain bread. ...
  • Dark rye bread. ...
  • Authentic sourdough bread. ...
  • Flaxseed, or linseed, bread. ...
  • Ezekiel, or sprouted grain, bread.
Mar 19, 2024

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