Honey Wheat Bread

Makes 2 loaves of bread.

Bloom yeast in sugar and 1/2 cup warm water. In a stand mixer, combine milk, remaining 1/4 cup water, melted butter, honey, salt and whole wheat flour. Add yeast mixture, mix just till combined and allow to sit 15 minutes.

Add bread flour and once dough is combined, using a dough hook, mix 6 minutes (or 10 minutes if kneading by hand) until dough forms a smooth ball.

Place dough in a greased bowl covered with plastic wrap. Let rise until nearly doubled in size. (Depending upon the time of year, it can take anywhere from 45-75 minutes.)

Punch down dough and divide dough in 2 pieces.

Roll each piece of dough into a 9-inch wide rectangle, then roll rectangles into loaves. Place loaves in buttered bread loaf pans. Spray tops of loaves generously with cooking spray, cover loosely with plastic wrap (they will expand beyond the height of the pan), and let rise until nearly doubled in size. This can take 30-60 minutes.

Preheat oven to 375ºF and bake uncovered for 25-35 minutes until tops are deep golden brown. They should sound hollow when tapped.

Butter tops of bread loaves after removing from oven. Cool before slicing.