75-Minute Health Bread

1. 1

   Place the yeast, 1/2 cup lukewarm water, and a drop or two of honey in a dishpan or large bowl and stir with a wooden spoon until the yeast dissolves.

2. 2

   Add the milk powder, 2 cups of lukewarm water, honey, salt, wheat germ, and whole wheat flour.

3. 3

   Beat for 2 minutes with the spoon.

4. 4

   Add 3 cups of white flour and continue to mix until it becomes too stiff to mix with the spoon.

5. 5

   Sprinkle with flour and begin to knead directly in the bowl (or on a floured board), adding more flour, a little at a time, as necessary.

6. 6

   Knead for about 10 minutes, or until the dough is soft and elastic, but still somewhat sticky.

7. 7

   Shape into a ball.

8. 8

   Thoroughly grease (with oil or butter) two 9-x-5-inch bread pans and set aside.

9. 9

   Cut the ball of dough in half, and form each half into a loaf.

10. 10

    (If the dough is too sticky to form neat loaves, wet your hands with cold water and smooth the tops of the loaves.)

11. 11

    Place the loaves in the prepared pans.

12. 12

    Cut a 1/2-inch-deep slash lengthwise down the center of each loaf.

13. 13

    Place the pans in a cold oven, then turn the temperature to 150F.

14. 14

    Let the loaves sit in the oven for 15 minutes (its a good idea to set your timer for this), or until the dough doubles in bulk.

15. 15

    Then increase the heat to 350F, and continue baking for about 50 minutes, or until the loaves are well browned and hollow-sounding when rapped on the bottom with your knuckle.

16. 16

    Cool on a wire rack before serving.

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.