Homemade Bread

Nothing beats fresh whole wheat bread hot out of the oven! This is the best recipe I've ever used. I've never once had it turn out badly (except for the time last week where I was letting the bread rise on the floor--we do have heated floors after all--and the kids came barreling through and pushed them over, causing them to fall...but it still made really good toast...) The only issue: It makes a LOT of bread, so unless you have a Bosch mixer, it may or may not fit in your mixing bowl. You could always do it by hand, I suppose. I've never tried to half it, so if someone wants to try and let me know if it turns out, by all means! Otherwise, this makes about 5 loaves of bread.

5 c. warm water
1/3 c mashed potato flakes
1/3 c oil
1/3 c honey
2 eggs
1 Tbsp salt
2 Tbsp yeast

**Mix together, then let sit, covered, for 10 minutes (at least), until you see the mixture 'growing'!

Add:

3 c white flour
9-10 c wheat flour
2 Tbsp flax meal
2 Tbsp bean flour

Mix until dough leaves the side of the bowl--ie the bowl with be completely clean!! Mix for 5 more minutes. Spray or rub oil into a large mixing bowl, and place the dough inside. Sprinkle with flour to keep it from sticking. Cover with plastic wrap and a towel. Place in warm place to rise. Let rise about 45 minutes OR until the dough rises over the top of the bowl.

Punch down, shape into a large roll (rectangular shape) and cut (using pizza cutter) into 5 equal loaves. Place each loaf into greased bread pan. Cover with towel, let rise again in a warm place for about 45 minutes. Turn oven on to 350 degrees. Bake 2 or 3 loaves at a time for 25 minutes. Set on cooling rack for 10 minutes then take out of bread pan, and let cool completely (or eat it while still warm–it’s yummy)!! It is the lightest, fluffiest, best tasting whole wheat bread you'll ever eat! :)

This bread freezes well, and makes great toast! :)