Honey Whole Wheat Bread

I used to LOVE when my mom would make homemade wheat bread. Anytime I smell homemade bread, I am thrown back in time to when my mom used to make it. I think most people would agree that the smell of bread baking just brings a happy memory of home to them. I love that I can pass this on to my children. I hope that one day when they're older and they smell homemade bread in the oven, it reminds them of their days at home with me. This recipe is one of our family's favorites. Since I use a bread machine for the "dough cycle", it is a fairly easy process. Enjoy!

Honey Whole Wheat Bread

INGREDIENTS:

- 1 1/8 cups warm water

- 1 1/2 tsp. active dry yeast

- 1/4 cup honey

- 1 tsp. salt

- 2 cups whole wheat flour

- 1 cup bread flour

- 2 Tbsp. melted butter

DIRECTIONS: If using a bread machine: add ingredients in the bread machine and choose "dough cycle". Take the dough out, punch down, and knead into the shape of a bread loaf. Put in PAM-sprayed bread pan, spread softened butter on top of loaf, and cover with plastic wrap; let rise for 30 minutes. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes and spread butter on top once again when it comes out of the oven.

If you are not using a bread machine: In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in the warm water; set aside. In a large bowl, combine the salt, wheat flour, and bread flour. Add the yeast mixture, the honey and the melted butter and knead with your hands for 5+ minutes. Place in bowl and cover with damp towel and let rise for 1 hour. Punch the dough and knead into the shape of a bread loaf. Continue on with the remaining steps above to put in bread pan, let rise a second time, and bake.