Whole Wheat Sandwich Recipe

A 100% whole wheat sandwich loaf built for everyday use: hearty and nutty, with a tighter crumb than white bread and enough tenderness to still make a good sandwich rather than a brick. The honey and oil are doing real work here — without a little fat and sweetness, an all-whole-wheat loaf tends to bake up dry and dense, because the bran cuts the gluten strands as the dough kneads.

The defining number is the 75% hydration, noticeably higher than the white sandwich loaf's 62%. That is not a stylistic choice — whole wheat flour carries far more bran and germ, and the bran soaks up water like a sponge. If you mixed whole wheat at white-bread hydration the dough would feel stiff and the finished loaf would be crumbly. The extra water keeps the crumb soft and sliceable. Honey at 5% deepens the crust color and adds a faint malt note; the 5% oil tenderizes and extends shelf life.

The technique that pays off most is patience after mixing. Whole wheat benefits from a rest so the bran fully hydrates before you judge the dough — a stiff-feeling dough often loosens after twenty minutes as the bran drinks. Knead to a rough windowpane (whole wheat never gets as sheer as white flour; do not chase it), proof until the loaf crowns above the pan, and bake to about 195°F internal since the denser crumb needs a little more heat to set.

For a softer, taller loaf, swapping 20–30% of the whole wheat for bread flour lightens it considerably while keeping most of the whole-grain flavor — a common move in bakery "wheat" breads that are not actually 100% whole grain.