Whole Wheat and Honey Bread Recipe

The seasons are surely changing, as this overwhelming pull to feed and nourish my family through the long cold time ahead of us, has taken over me like an ancient spirit.  Soups, stews, and the strongest pull of all, fresh homemade Whole Wheat and Honey Bread...

Here's our favorite recipe:

3C. whole wheat flour

1/3 C. honey

1/4 C. shortening

1 T. salt

2 pkgs. quick active dry yeast

2 1/4 C. very warm water

3C. all purpose unbleached flour

a few tablespoons of melted butter

Mix whole wheat flour, honey, shortening, salt, and yeast in a large bowl.  Add warm water.  Beat for 1 minute.  Stir in 1C. of all purpose flour at a time to make dough easy to handle. 

Place dough on lightly floured surface, and knead for 10 minutes.  Place dough in a large greased bowl, and loosely cover.  Let dough rise in a warm place for 40-60 minutes or until doubled.   

Gently deflate dough and divide in half.  Flatten each half into a rectangle and roll up tightly. Pinch ends to seal dough and fold under loaf.  Place seam side down in greased loaf pans and brush with melted butter.  Cover loosely again and let rise until double.  Heat oven to 375 degrees and bake on lowest rack for 40-45 minutes.

Let cool, slice, slather with more butter, and enjoy...

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The winner of this week's giveaway is lil' cowboys momma!!!  Please email me at sittingtree@frontier.com to claim your prize:)  Thank you to everyone who participated and especially to Raegan at Lilah Bloom Creations for offering such an amazing gift!!