Triple-Rich Whole-Wheat Bread

Preparation

1. To mix dough & bake the bread in a bread machine: Place all ingredients in the bread machine pan in the order recommended by the manufacturer. (Do not place the yeast in direct contact with liquids and salt.) Select Whole-Wheat or Basic cycle and Medium crust, then press Start. Once the dough is mixed, check consistency of dough: it should be smooth, yet soft to the touch. Adjust, if necessary, by adding flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, or water, 1 teaspoon at a time. When the loaf is ready, transfer it to a wire rack to cool. To mix dough in a food processor & bake loaf in the oven:
2. Combine whole-wheat flour, bread (or all-purpose) flour, soy flour, dry milk, wheat germ, salt and yeast in a food processor; pulse several times to blend. Stir water, molasses and oil in a measuring cup until the molasses is fully dissolved. With the motor running, slowly pour enough of the liquid through the feed tube until the dough is smooth and pulls away from the sides. It should be smooth, yet soft to the touch. Adjust, if necessary, by adding flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, or water, 1 teaspoon at a time. Process for 1 minute to knead. Transfer the dough to a bowl coated with cooking spray. Cover with plastic wrap and let dough rise until doubled, 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours.
3. Coat an 8 1/2-by-4 1/2-inch loaf pan with cooking spray. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Punch down and shape into a loaf. Place the loaf seam-side down in the prepared pan. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise until almost doubled, about 1 hour.
4. Preheat oven to 375°F. Bake the bread until golden brown and hollow-sounding when tapped, 30 to 40 minutes. Turn out onto a wire rack to cool.

Tips & Notes

• Note: Bread-machine yeast is a finely granulated yeast specially formulated for use in bread machines. Ascorbic acid is added as a dough conditioner to promote volume. This yeast can also be used in the food-processor method. If it is not available, you can substitute active dry yeast; heat the water to 120-130°F.

Nutrition