Well now, if you’re lookin’ to bake yourself some healthy, whole wheat French bread, you’ve come to the right place. This here recipe will make sure you get that crunchy crust and soft inside, all the while makin’ it good for you. Ain’t no need to go buyin’ that fancy white bread when you can make your own, and it’s way better too! Whole wheat bread is just the thing you need if you want somethin’ healthier and tastier.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of room temperature water (340g)
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoon of active dry yeast
- 3 teaspoons of brown sugar
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1 and 2/3 cups of whole wheat flour (270g)
- 1 and 1/8 cups of bread flour or less, if you got it
Now, don’t you worry about that whole wheat flour, it’s a little bit different from regular white flour. Whole wheat flour’s got more nutrients and fiber in it, and it’ll help you keep your cholesterol and blood pressure in check. Ain’t that something? But be warned, this flour likes to soak up more water, so be sure to give it some time to rest after mixin’ the dough. You don’t want it too sticky or too dry. You need it just right, like the old lady says when she makes her dumplings!
Let’s get started with the bakin’!
First, you wanna mix that water, yeast, and sugar together in a big bowl. Give it a good stir, and then let it sit for about 5 minutes. You’ll see the yeast start bubblin’ up. That’s a good sign, that means it’s workin’.
Once that’s all bubbly, throw in your salt and start addin’ the whole wheat flour bit by bit. Don’t rush it now, take your time. Mix it up with your hands, or you can use a wooden spoon if you prefer, but get it all combined nice and neat.
After you’ve mixed in all the whole wheat flour, you can add a little bit of the bread flour. It’ll help give your bread that chewy, soft texture on the inside, just like the French baguettes. Now, knead that dough. Don’t be shy, really get in there. Knead it for about 10 minutes until it feels smooth and elastic, just like dough should feel. If it’s too sticky, add a bit more flour, but not too much. You want it to be just right.
Once it’s all kneaded up, cover your dough with a damp towel and let it rise for about an hour. It should double in size. Now, if you live in a place where it’s kinda cold, you might need to let it rise a bit longer. No worries, just be patient.
Once that dough has risen, it’s time to shape it. Gently punch the dough down to get rid of any air bubbles, and then roll it out into a long, baguette shape. You don’t need to be too fancy with it, just roll it out and place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Time to bake!
Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Put a pan of water at the bottom of the oven to create steam, just like they do in the fancy bakeries. That steam will help your bread get a nice crispy crust. Pop your shaped dough in the oven and bake for about 25 to 30 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when it sounds hollow when you tap it on the bottom. If it’s not done, just give it a little more time. Patience, like my old granny used to say!
When it’s ready, take it out of the oven and let it cool down for a few minutes. And there you go! You’ve got yourself a lovely whole wheat French bread that’s got the crunch and the health benefits all in one go. Spread some butter on it, or dip it in your favorite soup, and you’ve got yourself a meal. Enjoy!
Tags：[whole wheat French bread, whole wheat bread recipe, homemade bread, healthy bread, French bread recipe, baking at home]
