Cooking Lessons for Dad

Cooking Lessons for Beginners

Flax Whole Wheat Bread in a Bread Machine

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This Flax Whole Wheat Bread is soft, tender, and lightly sweet. It’s a great everyday loaf if you enjoy whole wheat bread that isn’t heavy or dense. It’s made entirely in a bread machine, making it an easy, hands-off option for home bakers who want reliable results without a lot of effort.

The recipe uses simple, easy-to-find ingredients and works well in a standard bread machine. Just add the ingredients, select the whole wheat setting, and let the machine do the work. This bread is perfect for sandwiches, toast, or enjoying warm with a little butter. If you’d like to see the process step by step, you can watch the video below.

Flax Whole Wheat Bread

Flax Whole Wheat Bread

Ingredients

  • 1¼ cups warm water (about 110°F)
  • 2 tablespoons oil (olive, vegetable, or grapeseed)
  • ¼ cup honey
  • 1½ teaspoons salt
  • 2 tablespoons whole flax seeds
  • 3 cups whole wheat pastry flour
  • 2 tablespoons vital wheat gluten
  • 2¼ teaspoons instant dry yeast

Instructions

    1. Add the ingredients to the bread machine pan in the order listed, starting with the liquids and ending with the yeast.
    2. Select the whole wheat setting on your bread machine and, if available, a setting for a 1.5-pound loaf.
    3. Allow the bread machine to complete the cycle, including the rising and baking stages.
    4. After baking, lift the bread pan out of the machine. Remove the loaf from the pan and place it on a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Notes

I used Kosher salt.
If you don’t have a thermometer, warm water should feel comfortably
warm to the touch, not hot.
Bread machine yeast or active dry yeast may also be used.

© Karen Breyer

Fluffy Whole Wheat Bread in a Bread Machine

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Fluffy Whole Wheat Bread in a Bread Machine

Fluffy Whole Wheat Bread in a Bread Machine

Ingredients

  • 1 1/4 cup warm water (about 110 degrees)
  • 2 tablespoons oil (a neutral oil)
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
  • 3 cups stone-ground whole wheat flour
  • 2 tablespoons vital wheat gluten
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast

Instructions

    1. Add the ingredients to the bread machine (bread maker) in the following order: warm water, oil, honey, salt, stone-ground whole wheat flour, vital wheat gluten, and active dry yeast.
    2. Select the whole grain or whole wheat setting on your bread machine.
    Choose the 1.5-pound loaf option.
    4. Select your preferred crust color if your bread machine has this choice.
    5. Start the bread machine. It will likely take 3 - 4 hours.
    6. Once the cycle is complete and the bread is baked, remove it from the bread machine and let it cool on a wire rack before slicing.

Notes

Use stone-ground whole wheat flour with this recipe. Regular whole wheat flour may result in a dryer, less flavorful loaf.
Use a neutral oil like olive or grapeseed.
I used Kosher salt in this recipe. Use another type if you prefer.
A bread machine is also called a bread maker.

Looking for a healthy, delicious, and fluffy whole wheat bread recipe? In this cooking video, Karen Breyer will show you step-by-step how to make Fluffy Whole Wheat Bread in a Bread Maker! Using stone-ground whole wheat flour and a neutral oil, this bread is both nutritious and simple to prepare. The result is a fluffy, flavorful loaf that’s ideal for sandwiches, toast, or just enjoying fresh from the bread maker.

This beginner-friendly recipe is perfect for anyone who loves homemade bread but wants the convenience of using a bread machine. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a beautiful loaf with minimal effort. Plus, using stone-ground flour gives the bread a rustic, hearty flavor that makes each bite truly satisfying. Watch this cooking video and make this delicious Whole Wheat Bread today!

Testing Yeast Activity

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Testing Yeast Activity

Testing Yeast Activity

Ingredients

  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/2 cup water, warm (not hot)
  • 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) yeast, dry

Instructions

    1: Add the sugar and warm water to a 1-cup liquid measuring cup. Stir until the sugar is dissolved.
    2: Sprinkle in 1 packet of yeast. (Stir it if you want to, but you don’t need to)
    3: In a few minutes the yeast will be activated and start to foam.
    4: After 10 minutes the foamy yeast should have a rounded top and reach the top of the cup or higher.
    5: If the yeast reaches the 1 cup mark it is active. If it did not, discard it.
    6: Use the activated yeast right away in a recipe. Make sure to deduct 1/2 cup of liquid from the recipe.

Notes

The warm water should be between 110 - 115 degrees.
One packet of yeast = .25 ounce = 7 g = 2 1/4 teaspoons.

In this video, Karen Breyer will show you easy-to-follow steps to Test Yeast Activity to make sure your yeast is ready for baking. This is an important skill for making great bread and rolls. By the end of this video, you will know if your yeast is good to go for your baking adventure. Watch this video and find out if your yeast is active and ready for baking.

Whole Wheat Raisin Bread

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Yield: 2 loaves

Whole Wheat Raisin Bread

Whole Wheat Raisin Bread

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 - 2 cups raisins
  • 2 cups soy or almond milk
  • 5 teaspoons instant yeast
  • 1/4 cup grapeseed or canola oil
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 6 cups whole wheat flour
  • 2 tablespoons flaxseeds
  • 2 teaspoons Kosher salt
  • Cooking spray

Instructions

    1: Soak the raisins in water for about 30 minutes.
    2: Spray two 4 1/2 x 8 1/2 loaf pans with cooking spray.
    3: Microwave the milk for 1 minute to warm.
    4: Add the milk and yeast in a bowl for 5 minutes or until the yeast is foamy.
    5: Whisk in the oil, honey and vanilla.
    6: Drain the raisins. Stir the raisins in the liquid mixture.
    7: In a separate large bowl, stir together the flour, flaxseeds and salt.
    8: Slowly stir in the liquid mixture. Knead well for about 5 minutes.
    9: Separate the dough into two equal balls. Set them on a floured surface and shape them into loaves.
    10: Place the shaped dough into the loaf pans. Cover with a lightly damp cloth. Let the dough rise in a warm place until it doubles in size.
    11: Bake in a 350 degree preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes.
    12: Cool bread on a wire rack. Slice as desired.

Notes

You can use another type of salt if preferred.
Use regular milk if desired.
Use white whole wheat flour for a little whiter, lighter and sweeter bread. White whole wheat flour is another healthy whole grain flour.

© Karen Breyer

Try this delicious Whole Wheat Raisin Bread recipe that everyone will love! It is soft and lightly sweet. This is a pretty easy bread to make and healthy too! This Whole Wheat Raisin Bread recipe makes 2 nice-sized loaves. Try it soft and fresh or toasted and topped with your favorite butter, nut butter or spread. In this cooking video Karen Breyer will show you step-by-step how to make Whole Wheat Raisin Bread. Watch this cooking video and make this delicious Whole Wheat Raisin Bread today!

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