Grandpa's Whole Wheat Bread

My grandfather always made bread. I remember almost nothing from my childhood unless it is pulled out by a smell, a song, or someone elses memory; but the flavor of whole wheat toast with apricot jam reminds me of Saturday mornings with my grandparents (which is crazy because I would have been really young).

This is serious bread! It is not a quick recipe but it will warm your soul and make lots of bread!



4 cups of warm water
4 teaspoons of salt
8 tablespoons of honey
4 tablespoons of Crisco shortening
4 packages of yeast (he always used the cakes rather than the powder)
8 cups of whole wheat flour (he would grind his own flour)

(You can substitute 1-3 cups of unbleached white flour if you want to lighten it a bit)

Using 1 cup of the warm water, dissolve the yeast by mixing ("cutting in" is how he described it) the 4 pieces/packages of yeast. Let that stand for at least 15 minutes (to ensure that it is "live"). Combine the Crisco, honey and most of the remaining water together (reserve a bit of water to
tighten/loosen the dough at the end).

Mix the dry ingredients together. Then, combine wet with the dry together and knead, but not too excessively. Using a butcher knife, cut into quarters; the sizes should be about 4 loaves-worth depending upon the size of your pans.

Place dough into greased, loaf pans and cover with a dish towel, allowing it to rise for about 1/2 hour. Bake in a 400 degree oven, on middle racks for 30 minutes.


Amazing!