Soft Honey Wheat Bread (Loaves or Hamburger Buns)

This honey wheat bread has the perfect balance of softness and structure, making it great for sandwiches, toast, or even hamburger buns. It has a slightly sweet, wholesome flavor with a tender, pillowy texture that sets it apart from other homemade breads. The secret? Sunflower lecithin and a touch of lemon juice. The lecithin acts as a natural dough conditioner, making the bread soft and airy, while the lemon juice helps strengthen the gluten for a better rise and texture. Whether you’re new to milling or have been baking for years, this recipe is a staple worth adding to your kitchen!

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups warm water

• ⅓ cup melted coconut oil

• ½ cup honey

• 1 Tbsp lemon juice (optional)

• 2 tsp salt

• 4 ½ cups freshly milled hard wheat flour (about 3 cups of wheat berries)

• 2 Tbsp sunflower lecithin

• 1 tsp gluten (optional)

• 1 Tbsp instant yeast

Instructions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water, melted coconut oil, honey, lemon juice (if using), and salt.

2. Add the sunflower lecithin, gluten (if using), and half of the flour. Mix well.

3. Stir in the yeast, then gradually add the remaining flour until a soft dough forms.

4. Knead in a stand mixer for 20 minutes, until the dough is smooth and elastic.

5. Cover and let the dough rise in a warm place until doubled in size.

Shaping Options:

For Loaves:

1. Divide the dough into two equal portions.

2. Shape each portion into a loaf and place in greased 8×4-inch bread pans.

3. Let rise again until doubled.

4. Bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown and hollow-sounding when tapped.

5. Let cool before slicing.

For Hamburger Buns:

1. After the first rise, punch down the dough and divide it into 12 equal pieces for standard-sized buns or 8 pieces for larger buns.

2. Roll each piece into a smooth ball, then gently flatten it into a 3- to 4-inch disc using your hands.

3. Place the dough rounds on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart.

4. Cover loosely with a kitchen towel and let rise until doubled (about 30-45 minutes).

5. Preheat the oven to 375°F.

6. Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown.

7. Optional: Brush with melted butter for a soft, shiny finish.

8. Let cool before slicing.

For a Bread Machine:

• Add ingredients in the order listed if using instant yeast.

• If using SAF yeast, add the liquids first, sprinkle the yeast over them, then add the flour, lecithin, gluten, and salt.

• Add an extra 2 minutes to the second rise time, then start the machine.

This recipe makes two 1-lb loaves or about 12 hamburger buns. If doubling, keep the kneading time at 20 minutes.

Enjoy your homemade honey wheat bread, whether as a soft loaf for sandwiches or as the perfect base for homemade burgers!