6 years ago, after graduating from BYU, my husband’s career in the Air Force began. We, along with our toddler and newborn, moved away from Utah to the other side of The United States. Away from family, friends, and everything familiar. I was so excited for the adventure (and the beach, duh.) I learned a lot of hard lessons those first years of military life. I also learned a lot of valuable lessons. And one of those lessons, was how to make bread.
I have reflected on that time in my life often. I was young and immature. Do we all wish we could do things from our 20’s differently, or is it just me?
I’ll never forget one of the first friends I made there and the influence she had on me. She was a seasoned mom, and a much more Christ-centered human. She was all I wanted to be when I grew grow up. When does this “growing up” happen? I am still waiting.
This friend unknowlingly taught me a lot. But the best thing she taught me was how to make bread. It wasn’t just the recipe and technique of kneading the dough. It wasn’t the temperature to cook it at and for how long. Yes, those things were important lessons (because I am Paul Hollywood’s worst nightmare and one of the worst bakers in England.) But she taught me how to bake the bread with love. How to use the bread to serve people. How to focus outward. She told me that every friendship she ever made was influenced by bread. And I took that advice to heart. I started making bread weekly and giving loaves away. Buying friends, if you will. Kind of like a sorority ? (I can only say that because I am an ΑΦ alumni)
I have learned a lot about friendships over the last 10 years. Some friendships I have soured because of pride. Some friendships have left me hesitant to let other people get close to me. We move a lot (#militarylife) so luckily I have had a lot of opportunities to practice. And I dare say I am getting better. I “think” I am becoming more mature. But either way, I know that good friendships are built on service. So make this bread. Take a loaf to your neighbor, your ministering sister, or someone you yearn to get to know better. Focus outward and you will develop rich friendships that bless your life.
This recipe is fool proof I swear. I have never ruined a loaf of this bread. It always rises beautifully. It’s quick. Doesn’t require too much kneading and is above all else, delicious! There are a few ingredients required that you probably don’t have on hand, but they make the recipe.
Dough Enhancer and Vital Wheat Gluten – You can easily find these ingredients on Amazon and have them delivered next day if you have Amazon Prime. If you don’t have Amazon Prime … out of curiosity, how do you actually survive?
As far as the recipe – it is so simple. I have made it so many times I can’t even count and I have never had a failed loaf. It always rises beautifully. It doesn’t require a lot of kneading. It’s my kind of bread recipe.
If you use a Bosch, you can make 5 loaves at once. Which you will absolutely go through in a day or 2. If you have a Kitchen-Aid, you can half the recipe. It will make 2 full bread loaves and one half loaf. I shape my half loaves into round loaves and bake them on a cookie sheet.
Leave a comment if you have any questions. It may sound intimidating, but this is truly the easiest recipe ever! Your friends and family will love you for it.
Note: You can use a mixture of honey and molasses to equal 1 cup.
The Easiest Honey Wheat Bread
Ingredients
- 3.5 cups hot water
- 1 can evaporated milk
- 3 Tablespoons yeast
- 2/3 cup oil
- 1 cup honey
- 2/3 cup wheat gluten
- 1 cup white flour
- 12 cups wheat flour
- 2 Tablespoons dough enhancer
- 1.5 Tablespoons salt
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 350°
- Add hot water, evaporated milk, yeast, oil, honey, wheat gluten, white bread, and 6 cups of wheat bread into the mixing bowl
- Mix until all ingredients are combined
- Let yeast sponge for 5 mins
- Add dough enhancer, remaining wheat flour, and salt
- Knead dough for 5 minutes
- Move dough to oiled counter
- Knead by hand for another 2 minutes
- Form into loaves and score the top of each loaf
- Turn oven off and place loaves into oven to rise for 20 minutes
- Turn oven back on to 350° and cook for 20 more minutes.
Thank you so much for sharing I have watched you over the years making the spread and talking about it and I have been dying for the recipe the simplicity and deliciousness of hot bread out of the oven is what I’m waiting for it looks beautiful I hope you guys are doing well I miss your sweet little family