Recipe: 100 Percent Whole-Wheat Bread

100 PERCENT WHOLE-WHEAT BREAD

1 pkg active dry yeast
3 tbsp dark brown sugar
3/4 cup warm water (105-115 degrees F)
2 3/4 cups whole wheat flour
3 tbsp nonfat dry milk powder
3 tbsp vegetable oil
1 large egg or 2 large egg whites
1 tsp salt

Stir yeast and sugar into water; let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes.

TO MIX THE DOUGH IN A FOOD PROCESSOR FITTED
WITH METAL BLADE OR MIXER WITH DOUGH HOOK:
Put flour, milk powder, oil, egg or egg whites, and salt into bowl. Turn machine on and combine mixture. With machine running, slowly add yeast mixture. Mix until dough cleans sides of bowl. If dough is too sticky, add more flour by the tablespoon, working it in before adding more. If dough is crumbly and dry, add more water by the teaspoon, working it in before adding more. Once desired consistency is reached (moist but not sticky), mix dough until well kneaded, uniformly supple and elastic, about 40 seconds in food processor, about 6 minutes in mixer.

TO MIX THE DOUGH BY HAND:
Put ingredients in large bowl. Mix well. Make well in center, pour in yeast mixture and work into ingredients, then knead on floured board until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes.

FIRST RISE:
Transfer dough to large plastic bag, squeeze out air and seal at top. Place dough in bowl. Let rise in warm spot until doubled, about 1 hour.

SHAPING AND SECOND RISE:
Oil a baking sheet. Punch dough down and shape into smooth ball. Place smooth side up on baking sheet. Cover loosely with oiled plastic. Let rise in warm spot until doubled, about 40-50 minutes.

BAKING:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Fifteen minutes before baking, put rack in center of oven; dust dough top lightly with flour. Make a decorative slash across the top.

Bake until bread is well browned and sounds hollow when rapped on bottom, about 30-35 minutes. Immediately remove from pan and cool on rack.

Makes 1 Loaf
Source: Abby Mandel