Honey Molasses Brown Bread

We love warm bread in the cooler months. Bread and Books are our Jam this time of year.

I hope the lovely smell of freshly baked bread will bring back warm memories of childhood for our kids. Here’s a yummy brown bread that’s easy to mix up!

Our youngest loves to bake this recipe!

Ingredients:

2 1/4 teaspoon instant dry yeast (1 packet)

1 tablespoon sugar

1 1/2 cup of warm water

1 3/4 cups whole wheat flour (I use King Arthur)

2 cups of bread flour (I use King Arthur)

1 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons expresso or coffee powder

1 tablespoon cocoa powder

2 tablespoons softened butter

2 tablespoons of molasses

1/3 cup honey

oats (optional for dusting)

Directions:

In a large measuring glass or mason jar, combine the warm water, yeast, and sugar. Stir and let sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
In mixing bowl (I use a stand mixer), combine dry ingredients: whole wheat flour, bread flour, salt, expresso powder, and cocoa powder. Stir.
Add wet ingredients: yeast mixture, butter, molasses, and honey. Stir. Use dough hook to knead for 8 minutes. Or knead by hand.
Dough should be thick and tacky but not stick to bowl. Add more flour (if too wet) or water (if too dry) if needed.
Place dough in an oiled bowl. Cover loosely with towel or plastic wrap. Let rise two hours in a warm location.
After dough has doubled in size, divide dough into 6 equal portions. Fold and shape into a 2″x6″ log. I put three loaves on one pan and three on another. Sprinkle with oats.
Cover pans loosely with plastic wrap. Let rise 90 minutes in a warm location.
Preheat oven to 350
After loaves have doubled in size, bake for 30 minutes at 350.
Let cool for 10 minutes before slicing. Enjoy with warm butter.
Store in tightly wrapped plastic wrap and eat within 2 days.