Description
Mary Berry Wholemeal Bread is a simple homemade bread made with wholemeal flour, which retains the bran and germ of the wheat, offering a more nutritious and flavorful loaf. This type of bread has a denser texture compared to white bread, with a slightly nutty taste. Perfect for a healthy and hearty addition to any meal, it’s also easy to make with basic kitchen tools and ingredients.
Ingredients
- Wholemeal flour (500g): Provides the hearty, wholesome base of the bread with added fiber.
- Warm water (300ml): Activates the yeast and helps form the dough.
- Fast-action yeast (7g): The leavening agent that helps the bread rise.
- Salt (1 tsp): Enhances the flavor of the bread.
- Olive oil or butter (2 tbsp): Adds moisture and helps to develop the crumb.
- Honey or sugar (1 tbsp): Optional, but adds a slight sweetness and helps feed the yeast.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 220°C (425°F) and lightly grease the loaf tin.
- Mix the flour, yeast, and salt in a large bowl.
- Add the warm water and olive oil to the dry ingredients, then mix together until a sticky dough forms.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 10 minutes, until it becomes smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
- Punch down the dough and knead it lightly for 1-2 minutes.
- Shape the dough into a loaf and place it into the prepared loaf tin.
- Let the dough rise again for about 30 minutes, until it reaches the top of the tin.
- Bake the bread in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, until golden brown and hollow-sounding when tapped on the bottom.
- Cool on a wire rack before slicing and serving.