Whole-wheat Bread Hayes

Total Time: 3 hrs 35 mins Preparation Time: 3 hrs Cook Time: 35 mins

Ingredients

• 2 cups warm water (105f-115-f)
• 2 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 5 -6 cups whole wheat flour
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 cup canola oil
• 1 large egg , beaten until frothy with
• 1 teaspoon water
• 3 tablespoons old fashioned oats

Recipe

• 1 in a small bowl, stir together 1 3/4 cups warm water and yeast, and let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes. in a measuring cup, whisk together remaining 1/4 cup water and molasses.
• 2 in a large bowl, stir together 2 cups flour, sugar, salt, and oil and add molasses and yeast mixtures, stirring until combined well.
• 3 stir in enough of remaining 3-4 cups flour, 1/2 cup at a time, for mixture to form a soft dough and turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface; knead dough 8 minutes, or until smooth and elastic, and shape into a ball (it may be a bit sticky at this point, but will be easy to handle after rising). (i let my kitchenaid handle the mixing and kneading.).
• 4 transfer dough to a lightly oiled bowl, turn to coat, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk (about 1 hour).
• 5 punch down dough and let rise, covered 45 more minutes.
• 6 divide dough in half, lightly knead each piece and form into ovals. transfer loaves to greased loaf pans (8 1/2 x 4 1/2 x 2 inches) and let rise, covered with kitchen towels, 45 minutes.
• 7 during the final rise, preheat oven to 400°f.
• 8 brush tops of loaves lightly with egg wash and sprinkle with oats (or whatever you choose:) bake loaves in middle of oven 10 minutes. reduce heat to 350f and bake loaves 20-25 minutes more, or until golden brown.
• 9 turn loaves out onto a rack to cool.