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Soft Fresh Milled Sandwich Bread

A soft, fluffy, and nutritious everyday sandwich bread made with 100% fresh milled whole wheat flour. This recipe uses oil and honey to ensure a tender crumb that isn't dense or crumbly, perfect for sandwiches and toast.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 25 minutes
Servings: 2 loaves
Course: Bakery, bread
Cuisine: American

Ingredients
  

  • 4 cups Warm Water approx 110°F / 43°C
  • 2/3 cup Honey or maple syrup
  • 2 tbsp Instant Yeast
  • 2/3 cup Olive Oil or melted butter
  • 1 tbsp Sunflower Lecithin optional, helps with softness and rise
  • 2 tbsp Salt
  • 9-10 cups Fresh Milled Flour milled from approx. 6 cups of Hard White Wheat berries

Equipment

  • Grain Mill (e.g., Nutrimill or Mockmill)
  • Heavy-Duty Stand Mixer (e.g., Bosch or KitchenAid with dough hook)
  • 2 Bread Loaf Pans (standard 4.5x8.5" or 5x9")
  • Wire Cooling Rack
  • Instant-Read Thermometer (recommended)

Method
 

  1. Mill Flour: Grind your hard white wheat berries on the finest setting of your grain mill just before you are ready to bake.
  2. Activate Yeast: In the bowl of your heavy-duty stand mixer, combine the warm water, honey, and instant yeast. Let the mixture sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes foamy and bubbly.
  3. Initial Mix: Add the olive oil, optional sunflower lecithin, salt, and approximately 6 cups of the fresh milled flour to the yeast mixture. Turn the mixer on low using the dough hook until combined.
  4. Knead and Test: With the mixer running on medium speed (speed 2 or 3), slowly add the remaining flour 1/2 cup at a time. Stop adding flour when the dough cleans the sides of the bowl but is still tacky to the touch. Knead for 8-12 minutes. The gluten is developed when you can stretch a small piece of dough thin enough to see light through it without tearing (the "windowpane test").
  5. First Rise: Remove the dough hook, cover the bowl with a lid or towel, and let it rise in a warm place until it has doubled in size (approximately 45 to 60 minutes, depending on room temperature).
  6. Shape Loaves: Punch the dough down to release air bubbles. Turn it out onto a lightly oiled surface and divide it into two equal portions. Press each portion flat into a rectangle, then roll it up tightly like a jelly roll, pinching the seams closed to create surface tension. Place the loaves into greased bread pans.
  7. Second Rise & Preheat: Cover the pans loosely. Let them rise again until the dough crests about one inch over the rim of the pan (about 30-45 minutes). While rising, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  8. Bake: Bake the loaves at 350°F for 30-35 minutes. The tops should be golden brown. To ensure they are done, check the internal temperature with an instant-read thermometer; it should read between 190°F and 200°F (88°C - 93°C).
  9. Cool: Remove the loaves from the pans immediately and place them on a wire rack. Allow them to cool completely for at least one hour before slicing to prevent a gummy texture.

Notes

Flour Amount: Fresh milled flour absorbs water differently based on humidity and the grain itself. Always go by the feel of the dough rather than the exact cup measurement. The dough should be tacky, not dry or sticky.
Grain Choice: Hard White Wheat is recommended for a milder flavor closer to white bread, but Hard Red Wheat can be substituted for a nuttier, darker loaf.
Slicing: It is crucial to wait until the bread is completely cool before slicing. Cutting into hot fresh flour bread allows steam to escape too fast, resulting in a gummy interior.