Light Wheat Bread
- 2 1/2 cups (11.25 ounces) unbleached high-gluten or bread flour
- 1 1/2 cups (6.75 ounces) whole-wheat flour
- 1 1/2 tablespoons (.75 ounce) granulated sugar or honey
- 1 1/2 teaspoons (.38 ounce) salt
- 3 tablespoons (1 ounce) powdered milk (DMS)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons (.17 ounce) instant yeast
- 2 tablespoons (1 ounce) shortening or unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 1/4 cups (10 ounces) water, at room temperature
- Stir together the high-gluten flour, whole-wheat flour, sugar (if using), salt, powdered milk, and yeast in a 4-quart mixing bowl (or in the bowl of an electric mixer).
- Add the shortening, honey (if using), and water.
- Stir (or mix on low speed with the paddle attachment) until the ingredients form a ball.
- If there is still flour in the bottom of the bowl, dribble in additional water.
- The dough should feel soft and supple.
- It is better for it to be a little too soft than to be too stiff and tough.
- Sprinkle high-gluten or whole-wheat flour on the counter, transfer the dough to the counter, and begin kneading (or mix on medium speed with the dough hook).
- Add more flour if needed to make a firm, supple dough that is slightly tacky but not sticky.
- Kneading should take about 10 minutes (6 minutes by machine).
- The dough should pass the windowpane test (page 58)and register 77 to 81F.
- Lightly oil a large bowl and transfer the dough to the bowl, rolling it around to coat it with oil.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap.
- Ferment at room temperature for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, or until the dough doubles in size.
- Remove the dough from the bowl and press it by hand into a rectangle about 3/4 inch thick, 6 inches wide, and 8 to 10 inches long.
- Form it into a loaf, as shown on page 81.
- Place the loaf in a lightly oiled 8 1/2 by 4 1/2-inch bread pan.
- Mist the top with spray oil and loosely cover with plastic wrap.
- Proof at room temperature for approximately 90 minutes, or until the dough crests above the lip of the pan.
- Preheat the oven to 350F with the oven rack on the middle shelf.
- Place the bread pan on a sheet pan and bake for 30 minutes.
- Rotate the pan 180 degrees for even baking and continue baking for 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the oven.
- The finished loaf should register 190F in the center, be golden brown on the top and the sides, and sound hollow when thumped on the bottom.
- When the bread is finished baking, remove it immediately from the loaf pan and cool it on a rack for at least 1 hour, preferably 2 hours, before slicing or serving.
- Enriched, standard dough; direct method; commercial yeast
- 10 to 15 minutes mixing; 3 1/2 hours fermentation, shaping, and proofing; 45 to 60 minutes baking
- This is one formula that is not greatly improved by the preferment or sponge technique.
- Because it is made by the direct dough method, though, this formula is especially good for bread machines.
- Light Wheat Bread %
- High-gluten flour: 62.5%
- Whole-wheat flour: 37.5%
- Sugar: 4.2%
- Salt: 2.1%
- Powdered milk (DMS): 5.6%
- Instant yeast: .94%
- Shortening: 5.6%
- Water: 55.6%
- Total: 174%
bread flour, flour, sugar, salt, powdered milk, yeast, shortening, water
Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/light-wheat-bread-392116 (may not work)