Hearty Wholemeal Bread

Name: Hearty Wholemeal Bread
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 130 min
Yield: 10 servings
Cuisine: British
Ingredients: Butter to serve optional; 150 g Strong white bread flour; 1 tsp Salt; 7 g Yeast, instant; 350 g Wholemeal flour; 1 tbsp Honey, or brown sugar; 2 tbsp Olive Oil, plus extra for greasing; 320 ml Water, warm

A wholesome wholemeal loaf with a nutty flavour, tender crumb, and crusty golden top.

130 mins Serves 10Oven

Ingredients ↓Method ↓

Method

20 mins prep40 mins cook130 mins total

Combine wholemeal flour, white bread flour, yeast, and salt in a large mixing bowl.
Stir honey into warm water, then add with olive oil to the dry ingredients.
Mix into a shaggy dough, then knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
Place in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and leave to rise for 60–75 minutes until doubled.
Knock back the dough and shape into a loaf. Transfer to a greased loaf tin or baking tray.
Cover and proof again for 30–40 minutes until puffy.
Bake at 200°C (180°C fan) for 35–40 minutes until golden and hollow-sounding underneath.
Cool on a wire rack before slicing.

Notes

If the dough feels dry, add water 1 tablespoon at a time while kneading.

For a softer crust, cover the loaf with a clean tea towel while it cools.

Slice fully cooled bread with a serrated knife for clean cuts.

About this recipe

This hearty wholemeal bread is an excellent everyday loaf for toast, sandwiches, and soups. It balances rich wholemeal flavour with a soft interior, so it feels both rustic and easy to eat.

The dough is straightforward to work with and bakes into a deeply satisfying homemade loaf with great texture and a beautiful crust.