Lazy J Bar C

Lazy J Bar C

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Whole Wheat Molasses Bread


Let's talk about whole grains and the importance of adding whole grains to our daily diets. Whole grains contain complex carbohydrates, protein, and B vitamins and iron. They also contain fiber which is important in helping to feel satisfied when we eat.

This time of year, many people "resolve" to eat better in the coming year and the first thing they say is "No more bread, it's too fattening!" Well, this is true if you are eating the overprocessed, white bread fluff that is most supermarket bread! What we need to do is eat more whole grain breads made with the best quality ingredients we can afford to buy! If you pair your nutritious whole grain bread with a bowl of homemade soup or a nice salad made with garden fresh veggies you are doing your body a favor.

Making bread is incredibly easy, especially if you let your bread machine do the hard/tedious tasks of mixing and kneading the dough. While the bread machine is hard at work, you can be busy doing other stuff like feeding the chickens or milking the goat. ;-) One of the things that led me to baking bread and selling it at the Farmer's Market was my desire to feed Jerry and I better food and I realized that whole grain breads could and should be part of the plan.

This recipe makes a 9 x 5 x 3-inch loaf of bread or 12 rolls. I made these rolls to take to the Farmer's Market this week so, sadly, I won't be able to show you one cut open with butter on it! This is a 100% whole wheat bread without any white flour or white sugar. The egg adds lightness to the dough and the orange juice helps to cut the bitterness sometimes associated with 100% whole wheat bread.

Whole Wheat Molasses Bread               **Click here to print this recipe**

3/4 cup milk
1/4 cup orange juice
1/3 cup molasses
1 egg, room temperature
2 tablespoons butter, room temperature
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 cup raw wheat germ
4 cups whole wheat flour
2 teaspoons bread machine yeast OR 1 packet active dry yeast (If using active dry yeast, dissolve it in the warm milk before combining with the remaining ingredients.)

Mix, knead and let your dough rise until doubled using your favorite method; bread machine, manual or stand mixer. This time, I divided the dough into 12 pieces and made rolls. Place on a lightly greased baking sheet and let rise in a warm place until nearly doubled.


Bake in a preheated 375 degree oven for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown. Remove to a wire rack and let cool.


I'm linking up to The Country Homemaker Hop hosted by Heidi at My Simple Country Living. This is a new blog hop that is just starting this week! Stop by and check it out and join in the fun! :)

27 comments:

Farmgirl Heidi said...

Those look so good Candy. The recipe looks wonderful, I like the addition of the orange juice. I gotta know how you gave them such a pretty twisted shaped top? They look like they came from a high end bakery...

Carolyn said...

I'm also hoping that you'll divulge your secret to making them look so darned pretty!

Candy C. said...

Heidi and Carolyn Renee,
You have to remember, baking bread is what I do for a "living!" LOL!!
Anyway, I did a picture tutorial on shaping rolls like this on a post for Onion Cheese Rolls back on July 28, 2011. Those rolls are one of my biggest sellers at the Farmer's Market! :) You can do a search for that post using the Search Box at the top right on my blog.

Jen said...

I hope I never have to give up bread... I love bread & try to make alot of it homemade, people need to realize homemade is so much healthier than the store stuff. Your buns, I mean rolls look fantastic.... lol.

Candy C. said...

Jennifer,
I would be very, very sad if I had to give up bread! I try to "preach" the virtues of whole grain breads to the customers at the Farmer's Market! :)

Anonymous said...

Lovely bread!! :)

Candy C. said...

Pam,
Thanks! :)

Anonymous said...

Looks good, Candy. Anything with molasses in it is good, in my opinion!

Candy C. said...

Julie,
I agree 100%!!

Teresa said...

This one looks so yummy. I'm certainly going to visit your tutorial on making these pretty roll shapes.

Kathy Felsted Usher said...

I love bread. I've never had molasses bread, sounds good.

dr momi said...

I have to go check out how you made them so pretty!

Unknown said...

Amen to that. I make ww/whole grain bread a lot and pair it with homemade veggie or bean soup. What else do you need? Yum...

Candy C. said...

Teresa,
Thanks! Check out the tutorial, I find it quicker to shape rolls this way than to try to make round rolls!

Kathy,
Molasses gives it a whole different taste!

Candy C. said...

dr momi,
It's really easy! I'm all for easy these days! :)

Nancy,
You bet, simple wholesome food! YUM!!

Cathy said...

Thanks for sharing this recipe Candy. So many times a recipe for bread is just part whole wheat, I like having one that is 100%. I'm going to watch the tutorial,too. Cathy

Candy C. said...

Cathy,
I like the fact that it is 100% whole wheat too. Check the tutorial, I like to make all my rolls this way now! :)

larkspur funny farm said...

The recipe is so yummy sounding but I will have to do it in the machine - it never is warm enough to rise the bread here in my house and I can be working on other things while my bread is getting done. I can't wait to try this one.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful bread, Candy! I hope to bake some bread this weekend and use one of your recipes.

Tuesday I attempted your Whole Wheat Buttermilk roll recipe. I am pretty sure I killed the yeast as the dough didn't rise. :( Try again.

I also have FFA oranges that need used up and think fresh squeezed OJ and would be fun in the bread recipes.

Robyn
http://theranchwifechronicles.com/

Susan said...

My gosh! Those are perfect! You are such a master breadmaker! Wish I could eat the whole lot of them....or at least one ;o)

SweetLand Farm said...

mmmm those look so good! kinda like a bulky roll. think i'm gonna feed my addiction to orange juice and make some bread, now i really need it;)did you braid the rolls? maybe i should reread the directions when i copy down the recipe!

Candy C. said...

Grace,
The bread machine should work fine! :)

Robyn,
Sorry your dough didn't rise, hopefully the next time will be the charm! You are right, fresh OJ sounds great in the bread!

Candy C. said...

Susan,
I wish you could eat it too! I know I would be lost without my bread!

SweetLand Farm,
If you check my post for Onion Cheese Rolls from July 28, 2011 it will show how I shaped the rolls. Enjoy your bread baking! :)

HIBISCUS HOUSE said...

It makes me so hungry every time I visit your blog...you are a good cook I know.

Candy C. said...

Hibiscus House,
Thanks! :)

Nancy said...

These sound and look delish!! Thanks for sharing!

Farmgirl Heidi said...

Hello again Candy,
I am dropping by to thank you for sharing this yummy recipe on The Country Homemaker blog hop last year. I wanted to share with you that this post was the 3rd most popular post of the year for the hop.

http://mysimplecountryliving.blogspot.com/2013/02/the-country-homemaker-hop-53.html

Thanks again.
Heidi