Simple Yeast Bread with Freshly Milled Grains

Step 1

To proof the yeast: Combine the warm water, yeast, and 3 cups of flour. Mix together and let it sit, covered, for about 15-20 minutes until nice and bubbly.

Step 2

After proofing, add the honey, oil, salt, and remaining 6 cups of flour (to be safe, add 5 more and go from there). Mix by hand or a mixer (if using a mixer, make sure you have the dough hook attachment) until the dough is pulling away from the sides of the bowl. If more flour is needed, only add a little at a time!

Step 3

Once dough is pulling away from sides of bowl, it's time to knead. If you're mixing with a mixer, set the timer for 9-10 minutes to knead. If kneading by hand, knead for about 15-20 minutes until dough is soft and stretchy.

Step 4

Once dough is kneaded - it should be soft, stretchy, and SLIGHTLY sticky - fold into three loaves and put in greased 9x5 bread pans. If needed, lightly dust your hands and the counter with flour to make the dough easy to work with. Do NOT add too much flour otherwise your bread will be too dense. Rise until bread dough is about 1 inch above the pan.

Step 5

Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 35 minutes until loaves are a rich medium brown.

Step 6

Rest the bread in pans for about 10 minutes then remove onto cooling rack

Step 7

Rest the bread until cool before slicing.