A Delicious Failure

FAST TIP: Have patience when working with yeasts!

This is my first attempt at bread in about 8 years, so I was impatient and failed to observe the number one rule, which is, yeast needs to RISE before it is baked. Because I was using whole wheat (not baking flour), I really should have given this recipe extra time before forming the loaves. However, it tastes AWESOME!

The resulting bread was really dense, and I'm thinking this might actually be a preferable density for bread -- especially to help keep the portions of meat and toppings down.

Here is the recipe to make 2 loaves.

• 3 cups water
• 3 Tablespoons of vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup of honey
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 2 packages of dry, active yeast
• 5-1/2 cups of whole wheat flour
• 1-1/2 cups of raisens

1. Mix the honey into the water and warm in the microwave to a high-luke-warm temperature. Then thoroughly stir to combine honey and water
   
2. Stir in the yeast to the honey/water mixture
   
3. In a large mixing bowl, add half the wheat flour and raisens
4. Add in the vegetable oil to the honey/water/yeast mixture
5. Add the wet ingredients (step 4) into the mixing bowl with flour and raisens. Use a mixer for 2 minutes to combine.
6. Slowly mix in the remaining flour
7. Allow to rise in a covered bowl for 30 minutes
   
8. Form into 2 loaves and transfer to baking pans; allow to rise an additional 30 minutes; preheat oven to 375 F.
   
9. Cook for 35-45 minutes, or until crust is crusty and browned
10. Remove from oven and allow to cool in pans for 20 minutes