I had a goal to make my own bread for a long time. But I was never motivated enough to bake it regularly until I put it on my chore rotation. I bake two loaves about once a week, which is perfect for our family. Now we rarely buy bread, and I enjoy eating homemade bread consistently, as well as having it a main portion of my children’s diet. I grind my own wheat as well, using white wheat which I like much better than traditional hard red wheat.

I use my mom’s recipie, that I’ve modified to fit my own mixer and tastes. It is very simple and I have good results with it.

Whole Wheat Bread

Recipe yields two large loaves

• 3 cups warm water
• 2 tablespoons yeast
• 1/3 cup vital wheat gluten
• 8ish+ cups whole wheat flour
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/2 cup oil

Grind flour if not already done. Combine warm water and yeast. Add wheat gluten and 3 cups of flour in a mixer with a good dough hook. Add remaining ingredients. Gradually add flour until dough pulls away from the side of the bowl. Turn mixer on medium high and allow to knead for 6 minutes. Divide dough into two parts, and form into loaf shapes. Place in bread pans. Preheat oven to 350. When oven is heated and dough is risen (I allow the bread to rise the same time it takes to heat the over), bake bread for 30 minutes.

I love making bread, not only because it is delicious, but because it was a goal I wanted to do and have now met. I didn’t reach my goal for a long time, but eventually I figured out a system that worked for me. It reminds me that if I give myself time and just keep trying other goals that I have will become realities.