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It is no secret that I’ve been working to perfect a honey whole wheat sandwich bread machine recipe for months now. I was not only looking for a recipe that was reliable and tasted good of course, but that also didn’t contain any “unusual” ingredients like dried milk powder or wheat gluten. For a gluten-free option, try this Paleo Bread!
We absolutely LOVE the honey whole-wheat loaf from Great Harvest, and if they can make it with only five simple ingredients (freshly ground whole-wheat flour, water, honey, salt & yeast) then I should be able to do it too!
Featured Comment
Wow! Your recipe has it all! First, of course, it’s delicious. Density is perfect, and my favorite part is that it is so low in salt.
Perfect Whole Wheat Bread Machine Recipe
So after months of experimenting, I am thrilled to finally have a homemade bread recipe to share. And while this recipe comes out just right 9 times out of 10, I’ve learned that things can’t always be “perfect” when it comes to baking bread machine recipes.
If you aren’t weighing your ingredients and instead just measuring them out like me, or if you live in a place where the humidity might change from time to time … well then, expect some occasional surprises with the outcome of your bread.
I have learned one valuable trick though (from a blog reader!), and that is to check on the bread once or twice during the kneading process to make sure the dough looks “right.” I’ve caught mine looking too wet and sticky a couple of times, so I’ve added a few sprinkles of flour to get things back on track before the baking started. Using whole wheat flour is crucial here! Not only does it make your bread recipe more nutritious, but it's also more filling and flavorful.
I also want to share that this particular recipe makes a loaf that is on the larger side, which I like because then I don’t have to replenish our bread supply every two days. This loaf also comes out with a lighter crust due to its big size, and that is a plus in my book as well.
Serve bread warm with homemade soup or use it to make delicious whole grain sandwiches!
Easy Trick for Perfect Homemade Whole Wheat Bread Crust
After your honey whole wheat bread has finished baking let it rest for a couple of minutes until it’s cool to the touch. Then remove the bread from the pan and wrap it completely with a clean cotton or linen tea towel. Place the wrapped bread on a rack to cool.
The towel helps stop the bread’s moisture from being drawn out in the open air while still being breathable enough to keep the crust from turning mushy.
Once bread is completely cool you can put it in a plastic bag to keep the crust soft for longer.
Can I Make This Honey Whole Wheat Sandwich Bread in the Oven Instead of a Bread Machine?
Yes, this recipe for honey whole wheat bread also works in the oven. Keep in mind that this recipe is for a 2lb loaf so you'll need a large pan (or split it between two smaller bread pans).
The first option is to use your bread maker to mix and proof the dough, then remove it to bake in the oven. If you don’t have a bread maker, though, you’ll need to make several adjustments to make this whole wheat sandwich bread with honey by hand:
- Add the hot water, a packet (2 ¼ teaspoons) of regular active dry yeast, and 1 teaspoon of honey to a large bowl or electric mixer. Stir gently to combine.
- Tip: Put a little oil in your measuring spoon before the honey and it won't stick.
- Let the mixture rest until the yeast activates (10-15 minutes). You’ll know it’s ready when plenty of bubbles have formed.
- Mix in the remaining honey, oil, and salt.
- Add the flour 1 cup at a time, fully incorporating each before you add the next one. Dough should be soft and not too sticky.
- If you’re not weighing flour the amount each person scoops can vary. Add more or less flour, as needed.
- Either with a dough hook or by hand, knead the dough for 7-12 minutes, or until elastic. You can tell if dough is kneaded enough by poking it; if the dough bounces back quickly kneading is done.
- Cover the dough with a clean towel to lock in heat and prevent drying. Let it rise until doubled in size (1-3 hours).
- Punch the dough down, then shape your bread loaf. Place dough in a greased pan, then cover again to rise until doubled.
- Bake honey whole wheat bread at 375 F for about 30 minutes or until crust has browned.
- Note: Cooking times will vary depending on loaf size and oven, adjust as needed.
Why Didn’t my Yeast Activate in Homemade Bread?
Old or inactive yeast: Yeast is alive and will become inactive under certain conditions. Honey or any type of sugar helps to activate it. Before you bake, make sure the yeast hasn’t expired. Once opened, a container of yeast only keeps for about four months when stored in cool environment, like the fridge. High temperatures can make yeast inactive quicker.
Water temperature: The water should be between 105 and 115 degrees F, a lukewarm temperature that you can comfortably wash your hands in. Too cool and the yeast won’t activate, too hot and it kills the yeast.
Not added to the bread machine correctly: Most bread machines have very specific instructions for how to add the yeast. The general rule is to keep the yeast dry; if your bread machine doesn’t have a yeast compartment, see if it helps to dig a small well in the flour to keep yeast from activating too soon in the cycle. If you prefer a version without a brand machine, make this Whole Wheat Bread!
Didn’t wait long enough: If you’re making this recipe by hand make sure you wait until the yeast has fully activated before adding other ingredients.
If you enjoyed this honey whole wheat sandwich bread or have any good bread-making tips or recipes that you’d like to share, please do so in the comments below!
Honey Whole-Wheat Sandwich Bread (for bread machine)
Ingredients
- 4 ¼ cups whole-wheat flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cups water (warm (not too hot or it will kill the yeast))
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (or melted butter)
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet, or bread machine yeast)
Instructions
- Layer the dry ingredients into the bread pan, according to manufacturer's instructions (check the user manual for this).
- Make a well and place the wet ingredients on top of the dry ingredients. My particular bread machine (this one is similar) has a separate area for yeast; please consult your bread machine's instruction manual for yeast placement as this is very important!
- Select the whole wheat option on your bread machine and press start. My machine takes 5 hours to make a whole wheat sandwich loaf.
Notes
- Be sure to check your bread machine's instructions for how ingredients should be layered. This recipe goes by my machine's (the Oster ExpressBake Bread Maker is similar) preference which is dry ingredients first, then wet ingredients on top.
- This recipe has been around for a while, and I've read many comments about adapting it to bake in the oven. If you still want to use your bread machine, though, you can select the dough cycle to get the dough just right, then transfer to a bread pan and bake the bread in the oven.
Krista says
I wanted to add more iron into my kids diet so when measuring out the honey for this recipe I just fill up the 1/4 cup halfway and then fill it the rest of the way with blackstrap molasses. Makes the loaf even more healthful in my opinion and doesn't effect loaf density. Love that it's a dense loaf because I can make thinner slices!
Jenna says
Hi Lisa,
We have been making your whole wheat bread from your cook book, and we are wondering if the honey is for flavour, or science? Haha. Would we be able to sub it out for something else, to make the bread more of a dinner bread? We were thinking of adding cheese and garlic. Thanks!
Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says
Hi there. It is for a bit of sweetness. :) If you make it more savory, let us know how it turns out.
Patricia Laidler says
This had a lovely taste but deflated before baking. What setting/size is used for this loaf?
Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says
Hi. Use the large loaf setting on whole wheat.
Kristi says
Does anyone know if you can use whole wheat pastry flour in this, or would that be too light a texture?
Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says
Hi. I think you will find this helpful: http://www.kingarthurflour.com/learn/bread-machine-ingredients.html,
Chelsea says
I tried this recipe in my bread machine and it came out very dense and the crust is too hard. Any ideas what I did wrong?
Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says
Hi. This is a more dense loaf of bread. As far as the crust goes, you may need to decrease the time of the baking cycle.
Faith says
Just starting to get back to making bread since I'm so sick and tired of paying for junk.
Curious how you keep it fresh longer than two days? If you can?!
Thanks, so helpful to me to have found this recipe!
Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says
Hi there. I think this will help: http://www.tastingtable.com/dine/national/how-to-keep-bread-fresh-how-to-freeze-bread.
Josilyn says
Is it possible to use this recipe without a bread machine? I don't own one but I've been looking around for a simple bread recipe until I found this one.
Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says
Hi there. This is a very similar recipe for the oven.
verena says
So if I mix the wet and then dry ingredients and then knead and rise, will it work great in the oven? Thanks
Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says
Sorry. I did not attach the link for the oven baked version. Here you go: http://deliciouslyorganic.net/everyday-whole-wheat-bread/.
verena says
Thank you!
Tess says
the recipes in my bread machine manual for whole wheat include vital wheat gluten. Do you suggest leaving this out anyway and just following your recipe?
Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says
Hi there. Lisa does not add wheat gluten to her breads. Some readers do choose to add it.
Renee says
Donna, I think you could find a conversion chart on Google.
Renee says
I made this bread with 12 grain bread flour, whole wheat flour, and 1/2 c white bread machine flour. I would like to add gluten because the bread is to crumbly. It is Delish though. Anyone know how much gluten to add? Where would I find it?
Donna says
Hello! I'm eager to try your WW bread recipe!! I have enjoyed making bread in my bread machine and find weighing my ingredients the most successful method (and NO dirty dishes...I weigh directly in my bread pan!) Do you have the weights for your WW bread?! Thank you!
Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says
No, but this is a useful tool: http://www.calculateme.com/recipe/recipe-volume-to-weight-conversion.
Liz says
What type of bread machine do you have? I'm want to buy one. I bought a Panasonic but it was defective and I had to send it back. Interested to see what you have or recommend.
Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says
Hi there. You can find the link to Lisa's machine in this recipe: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2011/08/17/recipe-honey-whole-wheat-sandwich-bread-for-bread-machine/.
Ann Ramsey says
Can you use 100% home ground whole wheat flour in this recipe? Should I add gulten?
Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says
Hi. You can. We do not add gluten but some readers have.
Mandy says
Is it supposed to be dense? Did I do something wrong?
Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says
Hi Mandy. It is a more dense loaf than you might be used to.
Susan DelGatto says
I want to make this bread recipe, but I do not have a bread machine. Is it possible to get instructions to bake it in an oven???
Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says
Hi. This is a very similar recipe for the oven: http://deliciouslyorganic.net/everyday-whole-wheat-bread/.
Britt G says
I made my second loaf of this today - I halved it the first time to get a one-pound loaf, and made the 2-pound loaf today, at my husband's request! ("Can you make a bigger loaf of that bread?") It's so simple, too! My bread maker's manual makes it sound like you can't make a multigrain loaf without using a combination of whole grain + AP flour. Thank you for this recipe, Lisa!
Tena says
Can you tell me what size loaf this makes? I have a 1 lb bread machine and I'm pretty sure this recipe is for 2 lb???
Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says
Yep, it makes the larger loaf. :)
Brea says
Made this today as my first foray into homemade bread. So easy, and my family loves it (even the 3 year old)! Thank you!
Alison says
Used this recipe today in my new bread machine. I never made bread before and I was a bit intimidated and nervous but your recipe was simple with a few ingredients. I can't believe how good this was! My daughter loves it! Thank you!
Desmond chapman says
I love this bread! Taste great! But when I go to cut it it crumbles a lot and doesn't cut very well. Do you have any suggestions for that?
Jenn says
I have this same problem! love the taste and how easy it is but this is such a problem.
Desmond, did they ever answer you about this?
Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says
You might try ending the cook time a little early and be sure to never refrigerate the loaf.
molly says
Can you half this recipe, I think it's too big for my bread machine.
Anne says
What size loaf does this make?
Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says
It make a larger loaf, about 2.5lbs.
Rene says
I tried this recipe - one of 3. None have been a winner in my family. It smells fine in the breadmachine (T-fal Actibread) but the taste is not great. I also buy the honey bread from Great Harvest. My husband said none of the recipes can compare to 'store bought'. I would love to find one that does.
Helana says
I am so glad I came across this recipe - thanks for sharing! I made a loaf and honestly this is the type of bread I remember from a child but could never make myself- ... so so yum! but i ate way too much!
I also made these into buns last night and they were lovely... today I gave them to the kids for their lunch and they were still fresh and soft! Im impressed!
Thanks again!
JF says
I like so much your smile, thanks for the recipe for bread
Tracy says
Made this yesterday. So easy and delicious.
Thank you!
Nikki says
Thanks so much for posting this! I have had my bread maker for years but now trying to use it more. I have my second loaf In the bread maker now. So much easier than running to the store when we are out!
Glory says
Hi
First time making this bread. Been years since I made bread.
Have a welbilt bread machine. I have 2 different recipe listed for wheat bread and the order of ingredients is different in each. What would you suggest?
Rene says
You have to check the directions on your bread machine. It will say whether to put wet or dry ingredients first. I have a T-fal and it says wet first.
Danielle Irby says
Did you use Active dry yeast. Or was this "Rapid Rise" like Bread machine yeast? I have both but I have More Active Dry.. I just want it to be perfect!
Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says
Active dry.
Cheryl says
Has anyone got a Gluten-free recipe for bread making machine.
Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says
Hi. This might help: http://www.kingarthurflour.com/mixes/gluten-free-bread-mix.html.
Emily says
Do you know if there's any way that I could make this recipe with a natural starter with wild yeast instead of regular yeast?
Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says
Hi Emily. That is not something I am familiar with.
Brit says
Can this be made without the salt?
Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says
Yes, you can leave it out.
Kate says
I don't have a bread machine. Is this one rise or two how long on each rise. What temp and how.long do I coom it?
Debra says
it will be 2 rises
Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says
Hello. Here is an oven baked recipe: http://deliciouslyorganic.net/everyday-whole-wheat-bread/.
Sally says
I tried the recipe and the bread was delicious. Only thing is I didn't know what size of loaf to select on the bread machine, 750g, 1kg or 1.25kg.
Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says
Hi. It makes a 2lb loaf. I think that equates to about 1kg. :)
Barbara James says
what's the best, economical, bread maker to buy?
Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says
Hi. Here is Lisa's machine: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00005QFL0?tag=100dayofreafo-20. :)
Mary Lynn says
This bread is amazing! I am so happy to find a good while wheat homemade bread recipe. It is so light and delicious!
jill says
I could really use some help..I have made 3 loaves now and everyone is raw and mushy in the middle :( I make the dough in the machine then put it in the pan and sit for 1.5 hours then bake in oven for 35-30 minutes on 350.. anyone have this issue besides me. Now I am new to bread making and have the exact machine listed here. Please help :) Thanks
Mary says
When I make bread in the machine, I let the machine do all the work. Mine takes about 3 hours for the large loaf and done! Bread! Take it out of the pan and let it cool 15-20 minutes before cutting. Leaving it to cool in the pan can make the bottom a little soggy. Hope that helps!
Knc says
I make my bread dough in the bread machine and put in a pan and bake in the oven. I turn the oven on 170 deg. Then turn it off and open the oven door for 30 sec. Put the bread in and let it rise 15-20 min. Then bake 350 deg. For 25-30 min.
Rachel says
You aren't baking it long enough. A large loaf can take up to an hour to cook. One great way to tell if it's done is use a meat thermometer. It should be around 190-200 degrees in the center.
Kimberly says
Just wondering about how much money it costs per loaf to make this bread?
Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says
Hi. I'm estimating that mine is around $2.00 a loaf. I use organic sprouted wheat and raw local honey.
Kimberly says
Thanks for the reply. I'm excited to start saving money by making my own bread.
Leslie says
$2 a loaf if a great price for an organic sprouted loaf! I was wondering where you bought your flour and what brand you are using?
Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says
Hi. I recently purchased Arrowhead Mills at iHerb for a good price.
Mel says
Your wasting your money baking with raw honey honey Whenever it gets heated you are killing all the benefits of raw (I'm sure you know this but others reading may not)
skye says
I want to make a comment about storing home made bread... I have been making home made honey whole wheat in my bread machine for 2 years now. I never have to freeze or refrigerate it at all - I bought this thing for $12 from Amazon. Holy heck it's a miracle worker! It will store our bread and keep it fresh for 4 days easily - and with 4 people who love toast & sandwiches in our household, it never lasts 4 days anyway! Do yourselves a favor and buy this thing- It's golden! http://www.amazon.com/Solutions-Progressive-Adjustable-Bread-Keeper/dp/B001BB2LMM/ref=sr_1_1?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1454446944&sr=1-1&keywords=bread+keeper
GJones says
We have the same bread box & love it, as well!
skye says
I know, it's great right?! And such a simple solution!
Amanda says
I have that box as well. Bought it after reading this page. How do you adjust the openings? Or maybe I should say when do you? Also, what yeast are you all Using?
skye says
Oh - the instructions that come with it actually are pretty good as far as telling you when to open/close. I put the bread in the box on day one (after its totally cool) and slide the circle thing so the holes are open. This way it doesn't get moldy or damp. The bread still needs to breathe for a day or so. After day 2, I close it up to not allow any more air in. I can tell you I get an easy 4 days out of bread in this box - but usually its all gone by day 4 anyway - so there isn't much worry beyond that time frame for us! :) I use Fleischmann's yeast (the normal stuff- I forget the actual wording on the packet now) but I really want to try organic yeast since all my other ingredients are organic. I go to Whole foods 2x a week and yet have not bought organic yeast- not sure why?! LOL. Guess this is my reminder to do it! :)
Mandi says
This bread is AWESOME! Thank you! It tastes just like the bread my grandmother used to make! This will be our weekly loaf. Great work!
Audrey says
Can you freeze this bread to use later? Otherwise how long will it last just in the fridge?
Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says
Hi. You can absolutely freeze it and use later. Keeping it in the fridge will dry it out, however.