Home Ground Wheat Loaf

Dan, my brother, visited from Oregon this last week and brought me this absolutely perfectly baked delicious wheat bread. Yep, he grinds the wheat himself. Gluten free? Definitely not! He adds gluten! I’m still waiting for the recipe, Danny. I guess I’m going to have to give out your email address here for those who want to try it out. Ha-ha. Hurry!

FINALLY, the recipe!! Thank you to Kay Patterson, Dan’s neighbor, for sharing this lovely recipe with our family!

Recipe

2 1/4 Cups warm water
1 Tablespoon sugar
2 Tablespoons yeast
2 Tablespoons + 2 teaspoons gluten
1 1/2 Tablespoons dough enhancer
5 Cups wheat flour (you’ll need a wheat grinder if grinding your own and the hard wheat for grinding is available at Costco in 5 gallon tubs)
2 Cups white bread flour
3/4 Cup powdered milk
1 Tablespoon additional sugar
2 Teaspoons salt
1/4 Cup liquid shortening

Dissolve 1 T sugar in the water and add yeast, gluten and dough enhancer. Let stand a few minutes while preparing other ingredients.

In your Kitchen Aide or similar type mixer add the yeast mixture then add the following wheat flour, powdered milk, sugar and salt. Using the flat beater mix for 2-3 minutes on low speed (2). Slowly add the shortening while continuing to mix one minute.

Change to dough hook and at the same speed add the bread flour. When dough clings to the hook knead for 7 to 10 minutes longer.

Cover the bowl and let rise in a slightly warm oven around 90 degrees F. When double in volume punch down and shape into two loaves. Place into well buttered pans.

Cover and place in 90 degrees F oven and double again about 15 minutes. Remove from oven.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F and bake 15 minutes, reduce heat to 350 degrees F and bake 20 minutes longer.