What is better than a nice slice of freshly made (still warm) bread, covered with butter and a slice of nice Danish cheese?
Or, if you do not fancy cheese, then decorate it with freshly boiled and peeled shrimps, fantastic salami, delicious Nutella, or perhaps you are more into the classic PB&J sandwiches. Whatever tickles your palette, you decide.
You are the master of your likes and desires. But let’s agree, anything tastes a thousand times better on homemade bread.
Us Danes eat a fair bit of bread. Not for school or lunch sandwiches, but for a few slices with cheese n’ butter, served with the afternoon or late evening coffee/tea.
Unfortunately, it takes time to make bread. Especially if you want some delicious bread. Time to prepare, knead, rise, knead again, and then bake. It is an art form that cannot be rushed.
Start to finish, this recipe takes 3.5 hours.
If you want this bread for your afternoon coffee/tea, I suggest you find the following simple ingredients and baking gear and start early.
- 3 1/2 cups of whole wheat flour
- Bring out a large bowl, big enough to hold all the flour and then some
- Mix the yeast, water, and honey
- Let it sit for 5-15 minutes until the yeast has activated and it is frothy
- Add the regular flour (5 cups), and stir it together
- Add the melted butter and another 1/3 cup of honey
- Add the 2 cups whole wheat flour
- Once it is has a nice smooth and sticky dough consistency, take the dough out of the bowl and put it on a flour-dusted surface.
- Start adding a little more whole wheat flour, a half cup at the time, and knead the dough manually until it is no longer sticky – just sticky enough to still feel sticky to the touch.
- Put the dough into a greased bowl, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and a tea towel.
- Let the dough rise until it has reached about double the size.
- When it has reached the desired volume, take the dough out of the bowl, and knock the air out.
- There’s enough for 2-3 loaves, depending on the size of the bread tins you use
- Make sure to cover the inside of the tins with a dusting of flour before adding the dough.
- Turn on your oven, setting the temperature to 350F.
- Cover the bread with the towel, and let it rise another 30 minutes while the oven heats up
- Bake the bread for approx. 30 minutes, but keep a close eye on the dough color. You want it to be golden, not dark brown or black.
- When the bread is done, you can brush the top with melted butter. This should prevent the crust from getting too hard.
I also like to decorate the bread with oatmeal flakes or sesame seeds … or nothing. It is your choice in the end and what you prefer.
You should have three nice loaves to consume and serve to your family and friends. Nothing beats homemade bread.
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