Favorite Bread

This was given to me by my pal, Boogie. I love fresh baked bread. This one sounds great.

This recipe was actually my mom's, but I changed it through the years. It is what I grew up on...we hardly ever had store-bought bread...


1 large cake fresh National Brand yeast (rectangle, not the square....can also use 2 packets of dried yeast as substitute)
2 cups warm water
3/4 cups canola oil
1/2 cup honey (or use 1/4 cup honey and 1/4 cup unsulphered molasses for a richer color, fuller taste)
1 Tablespoon salt
3 eggs at room temperature
4 cups unbleached, unsifted flour
4 + cups whole wheat flour, unsifted

options:
1/2 cups ground flax seed
1/2 cups rolled oats (not instant)
• In large bowl combine warm water, honey, oil and salt. Crumble yeast over the top. Allow to stand one minute then mix in.
• Blend in eggs, one at a time
• With electric mixer beat in unbleached flour, one cup at a time.
• By hand (or with KitchenAid dough hook), 4 cups whole wheat flour, one cup at a time. Add additional flour as necessary to make a formed ball that is very tacky to touch. Do not over-add flour!
• Knead ball until satiny. (Flour the work surface and your hands to prevent sticking, add more as needed)
• Place ball in greased bowl and cover with a towel. Allow to rise until double, about 1 hour.
• Punch down, allow to rest for 5 minutes.
• Place 1/2 of the dough into each of two well-greased loaf pans. Alternately, place balls of dough, slightly flattened on greased baking sheets. (Remember that the balls will rise, so make them about 1/3 smaller than you plan to have as a finished product).
• Let rise for 30 minutes, covered with towels. You will know if they have risen enough if, when you poke them with your finger, the indentation pops back up nearly even with the dough surface.
• Bake at 325 degrees Buns will be done (golden brown on the top and bottom) in about 12-14 minutes. Loaves need to be cooked for 20 minutes uncovered, then cover with foil and allow to cook another 10 minutes. You can tell if bread is done if it sounds hollow when you "thwack" it with your finger.
• Take out of/off pans right away and allow to cool at room temperature. Store in airtight containers for up to three days (remember, this has no preservatives), or place in freezer bags- push out extra air before sealing-and freeze.

ENJOY!