2 1/2cupswhole wheat flourI used freshly ground hard white wheat
2tablespoonsactive dry yeastor 2 packets
2tablespoonssugar
1tablespoonkosher salt
1/4cupsoft butterI probably used closer to 1/3 cup because I wasn't measuring carefully
1 1/2cupsvery warm water110-120 degrees
light flavored olive oil
Instructions
Pour the water into the bowl of your stand mixer. Sprinkle the yeast over it. Add the rest of the dry ingredients and then add the butter. Turn the mixer on low speed for 10 minutes. Let the dough sit for 10 additional minutes once the mixer is finished.
Do NOT let the dough rise in the mixing bowl for more than 10 minutes. I walked away when making this today and it rose beautifully for about 20-30 minutes. However, after I punched it down and shaped it into loaves, it didn't rise much in the pans at all - even after 6 hours in the refrigerator. The loaves still tasted fine, but they were much more dense and not at all as lovely as they were the first time I made this.
Divide the dough in half, form into small oval shaped loaves. I like to create a round shape by tucking the edges underneath and then forming a slight oval before placing it in the pan. If you are new to baking bread, remember that while the bread will rise, it will not typically become pretty and rounded if you do not create a rounded shape initially.
Place the dough into well buttered loaf pans and brush the surface of the dough with olive oil and brush 2 pieces of wax paper with oil as well. Cover the bread loosely with the wax paper and then loosely cover the pans with plastic wrap. Place loaves in the refrigerator until ready to bake. Let them rise for 2-24 hours. I found that mine had doubled in size about 4 hours after I put them into the refrigerator.
When you are ready to bake the bread, remove the pans from the refrigerator and place them on the stovetop while the oven heats to 400 degrees. (375 degrees for glass pans) Once the oven is hot, or after approximately 10-15 minutes, put the loaves in the oven for 25-28 minutes.
When the bread is done, remove from the pans immediately and cool on wire rack. Let it cool at least 15 minutes before slicing if you are going to eat it warm. I recommend letting it cool completely before slicing if possible.