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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 tsp 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.
This does not work with all bread makers! I wish it would have said something about that in the recipe or maybe I missed it :( my bread loaf turned out totally sunken in the middle. I have a zojirushi.
Bri, I have a Zo as well, unlike other machines, the wet ingredients need to be put in first, THEN the dry. So try that. Also make absolutely sure your yeast is fresh, and that the water wasn’t hot when you add the yeast-should be just lukewarm. As for yeast, I think SAF is the best, but since it contains a higher grain count than others, you use less. Roughly 2 tsps. of SAF equals 2 1/2 tsps. of other yeast.
Jody: Wet and then dry? Wondering if that was a typo since the recipe calls for dry before wet, and most bread maker machines suggest adding wet ingredients before dry into the pan. Please confirm that you are contradicting the recipe advice above?
I want to make this and have it turn out really well… Thank you!
Hi Terry, I am giving specific recommendations based on the Zojirushi bread machine. This machine, as per their own instructions – requires that the liquid ingredients go in first, then the dry. The yeast gets put in a well you make in the dry ingredients on top.
If you have another manufacturer’s machine, then follow their instructions, but if you have a Zo, then this is the proper order.
I have the exact same breadmaker as mentioned in the recipe. It is a workhorse, and the only bread machine I have found that will actually make bread. However, I can’t get the whole wheat loaf to work. It doesn’t rise. (Full disclosure: I have scaled back the recipe because there’s no way my family would go through that much bread before it went stale.) Still, I’ve tried adding vital wheat gluten which I can’t get to work at all. The only thing that helps is mixing a cup of white flour in with the 2 1/2 cups of whole white wheat that I am using. I know white flour isn’t idea, and I really love the taste of the whole white wheat, but all I’m getting is a 2 lb. brick. Seriously, this thing could break a window. Does anybody have any suggestions on getting the loaf to rise a little better?
What kind of yeast are you using? Is there any way it could be dying before it makes the bread rise? (Too much heat or using old yeast)?
I use Red Star yeast. It works with other breads and doughs I make so it’s still good. The great thing about the Panasonic breadmaker is that it has a yeast dispenser, which helps make sure the yeast works properly. I don’t think this is a yeast problem.
Well I know that whole wheat makes it harder for the gluten to develop and give it the right texture, but it still should be able to rise. Have you tried dialing back the flour by a teaspoon or two? So there is more yeast to flour ratio. That might help.
Sorry to hear that! I’ve noticed the weather makes a difference in how much my bread rises. I know it sounds weird, but try it on a rainy day next time.
I was wondering if I could make it without the honey?
Hi. Yes, other readers have.
I only use my bread maker to make it. So much better after transfered to pans and baked in the oven. This bread maker loaf is huge and dries out. Try dividing into two pans and baking.
Any bread machine recommendations?
This is Lisa’s machine: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00005QFL0/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00005QFL0&linkCode=as2&tag=shop100drf-20&linkId=QJ7LGVRUWSZFCHJL.
Since this post was originally posted in 2011, I was wondering if you still recommend the bread maker in the link.
It’s no longer for sale. We’ve updated the link to a comparable one.
Does your loaf end up with a hole in the bottom from the mixer blade in the bread machine.
I remove my paddle after the last rise or before the baking starts
Yes! That’s totally normal.
Bread keeps collapsing before baking is done. I’ve tried twice now.
My bread maker calls for wet ingerdients first. Maybe that’s why
Make sure you’re not using “quick-rise” yeast or it will rise and collapse by the time it starts baking. Just use regular active dry yeast.
Check in the manual for the maker. They have a big troubleshooting section that might help. This issue has not happened to me. (Also make sure all your ingredients are fresh and that you follow the recipe exactly.)
I recently started making my own greek yogurt and had all this whey. I decided to swap the water in the recipe for the whey 1.5-2 cups of whey and the rest water, depending on how much I have. You almost don’t need the to add the honey when doing this because the whey is already sweet! I think it makes a pretty tasty bread with a different twist.
Wondering what size of loaf this makes?
Hi. A large 2lb loaf.
I love this recipes. My bread turn out really good!
My problem is then how do you cut sandwich slices? Mine either come out all uneven, way too thick, or I just destroy the loaf of bread. Any tips?
I use a bread cutting guide that I purchased on Amazon.
And, let it cool before slicing.
any recommendations on a bread cutting guide? Thanks!
Hi Nicole, we don’t necessarily have one that we recommend, but there seem to be many options on Amazon to choose from. – Nicole
I tried this and it came very delicious. Thanks
I made this and used about 1/4-1/2 cup of white flour along with mostly white whole wheat and it turned out perfectly.
seems to b a wonderful n healthy whole wheat bread recipe. i m planning to buy a bread making machine. could you suggest a mderately prized with good features machin company?
Hi there. Here is Lisa’s: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00005QFL0/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00005QFL0&linkCode=as2&tag=shop100drf-20&linkId=QJ7LGVRUWSZFCHJL.
Hello
I’m what ways could I modify this to do in a loaf pan. We don’t have a bread maker but would love to make our own bread. We do have a stand mixer. Thanks!
Hi there. Here a very similar recipe for the oven: http://deliciouslyorganic.net/everyday-whole-wheat-bread/.
Can this recipe be baked in the oven and not a bread machine?
Hi. This is a very similar recipe for oven baking: http://deliciouslyorganic.net/everyday-whole-wheat-bread/.
Hi! Is there a way to adapt this recipe for hamburger buns? Is it just the shape you roll it into? I’m a newbie bread maker!
Hi there. We’ve not attempted buns with this recipe. Here is a very similar oven baked version: http://deliciouslyorganic.net/everyday-whole-wheat-bread/.
I’ve tried this recipe twice with the same exact bread machine and it comes out hard as a rock! I followed the recipe exactly. Any suggestions?! Thanks!! By the way, love both books! LIFE CHANGING!
Does your machine have any special instructions? This might help: http://www.kingarthurflour.com/learn/bread-machine-basics.html.
What would be the measurements for a M sized loaf?
Hello. This might help: http://www.breadmachinedigest.com/tips/converting-bread-machine-recipe-sizes.php.
This bread was amazing! Just found it does not keep very long. By 48 hours after it seems to be going stale. Any tips on how to store it to make it last? Freezing ideas? And do you have any calories conversion for this recipe? Thanks!!
Hi there. I usually freeze beyond a day if the entire loaf is not already consumed. :) This will help, too: https://www.craftsy.com/blog/2014/03/how-to-store-bread/. And, we do not provide nutrition details on recipes. We just be sure to stay away from the processed stuff and instead focus on a good variety of real foods.
What are the measurements for a one lb loaf please?
can you make this out of a bread machine as i dont have one? If so how long do i bake it?
Hi there. Here is a very similar recipe: http://deliciouslyorganic.net/everyday-whole-wheat-bread/.
Thank you so much!
What size setting do you choose on your bread machine, (XL, L, M) ? Thanks!
Hi. It makes a 2lb loaf. I use the L setting.
Hello! This is probably the world’s stupidest question. I have sifted through about 6 pages of comments & haven’t seen it asked.
I made this bread one time about a year or more ago. It is the only time I have ever even seen a bread machine being used. Nowhere in the instructions of my bread machine (nor in the recipe) does it tell you to remove the little plastic mixer part.
I assume since the picture shows a sliced/in-tact loaf of bread at some point that needs to come out before baking?
When I made it, it tasted good. But it was all broken at the bottom from where I had to remove the piece.
If the bread machine does all of the steps for you; when am I supposed to take it out?
I am so embarrassed!
If your bread maker has instructions about what time the final rise starts you can take it out sometime during the last rise. Take it out of the machine, turn it upside down into your hand and remove the plastic paddle, put the loaf back into the pan and back into the machine. (this can be a little tricky balancing the dough and removing the paddle and putting it back in the bucket) the dough might get a little misshapen but it will fill out by the time it finishes rising. Otherwise you have to accept that the loaf will not be perfect where the paddle was.
Thank you for asking this. It never occurred to me that it could be removed before baking the bread.
I would love the weight measurements for your bread recipe. When I go by weight I have much more consistent results since I grind my wheat.
Hi. Here is a conversion chart: http://www.kingarthurflour.com/learn/ingredient-weight-chart.html.
My first time using a bread machine can someone please tell me do you activate the yeast before putting it in? If not what happens if you do?
Hi there. This will help: http://www.kingarthurflour.com/learn/bread-machine-ingredients.html
What type of WW flour do you use?
100% White whole wheat.
Any idea how this recipe would translate to making the bread without a bread maker?
Hi Jennifer, here’s a similar recipe that you might want to try: https://deliciouslyorganic.net/everyday-whole-wheat-bread/
– Nicole
FYI, Great Harvest’s bread does not have added oils or fats! It really is just 5 ingredients.
Source: I’m a GH baker!
Is this for a 2lb loaf of bread?
Hi, I am curious about this too :)
Yes, it is.
I recently tried this recipe in my bread machine several times with no luck. I then decided to try it in the oven and when I proofed my yeast with the honey, it didn’t work. I tested the water (made sure it was well below 109 F) I know the yeast is good because I just made another bread recipe with it and it worked beautifully. Is it possible for something to be wrong with my honey?
Hello. We find that bread machines can be finicky and each is a little different. This might help: http://www.kingarthurflour.com/learn/bread-machine-basics.html.
Can’t wait to try out this recipe this weekend. All the ingredients sound delicious. As a passionate home cook, your recipes inspire me. Thank you.
can this be made on the dough setting and then removed and put in bread pans?
Hi. We’ve not tried but I would think so.
Yes…This is how I always make homemade bread. Use bread machine on dough setting. When complete, put a tiny amount of flour on counter and “grease” bread pan. Punch down dough and shape into loaf. Place dough in pan, cover with flour sack towel and let rise until well above pan. In the winter, I often use my oven with the light on as my rising location. My current recipe bakes at 350° for 22 minutes. Note: I also have a large bread pan: Williams Sonoma Goldtouch 1.5 lb Loaf Pan.
Any tips on howto preserve the bread once made? Do you pre-slice? what do you wrap it in?
It’s just me eating the bread and it gets bad too quickly.
Thanks!
Hi there. I find this very helpful: https://food52.com/blog/8236-how-to-store-fresh-bread.
Will quick rising yeast work?
Hi there. I think this might help: http://www.kingarthurflour.com/learn/bread-machine-ingredients.html.
Great link! Very informative.
Thank you for this recipe! Have been on the same search for a good sandwich whole wheat bread that can be made in the bread maker or oven. Great comments by others as well!
Made this in the oven today, followed these instructions :
1. Proof yeast, honey, water, oil 10 minutes.
2. Mix all ingredients together.
3. Knead 10 minutes until no longer sticky. On floured surface.
4. Oil bowl, rise dough covered, in warm area 1 hour.
5. Punch down.
6. Place in oiled bread pan or cookie sheet.
7. Rise 30 minutes in warm area.
8. Bake 350* 40 minutes.
Came out wonderful for Hubby’s lunch.
Thank you this is exactly what I was looking for. Since I do not have a bread machine
I have the exact model of bread machine and can’t get it to rise. Could you provide a little direction as to how exactly you do this recipe? I have tried several times and can’t get it to work! Thanks!
1. Your water is too hot over 109* F
2. Your yeast is expired.
Try putting a little yeast and sugar and warm water in a bowl for 10 minutes if it does not foam on top. It is bad.
Thanks for asking/answering this question. I have had the same issue multiple times as well lately. But I had success years ago with this recipe and my family loves the taste so trying to figure it out as I’m frustrated with wasting the ingredients over and over again. Really don’t want to go back to buying bread again!
Has anyone tried this with adding a variety of seeds like pumpkin, sesame maybe some hemp hearts and chia seeds?
Hi. Let us know how it goes if you give it a try.
So I made the bread and added pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, hemp hearts and chia seeds. I love it but next time I think I’ll add a little more, I only added 1 cup in total of extras. Think I’ll try 1 1/2 cups next time.
I cannot wait to make this