Whole Wheat Sandwich Bread Recipe

Freshly Milled Whole Wheat Sandwich Bread that is soft and fluffy like store-bought bread! It’s my favorite everyday sandwich bread that I slice and freeze for upcoming sandwiches, toast, and more! This whole wheat bread is made entirely with 100% whole wheat flour using grains.

We love this sandwich bread made with Fresh Milled flour! If you’re into freshly milled flour recipes try our no-knead whole wheat bread loaf, whole wheat pizza dough, and whole wheat tortillas! 

Sandwich Bread Recipe

If you’re into whole grain foods and looking for a whole wheat bread recipe that your kids will even eat, then this is the homemade sandwich bread to make! Perfectly soft and fluffy and so easy to make! Our family loves this whole-wheat bread! It’s simple and is the best bread for sandwiches if you have your toddler eating it! I share all my bread-making tips so you can feel confident baking with yeast.

Out of all my bread recipes this loaf of bread has got to be one of the best sandwich breads (and way better than white bread)! I make homemade buns and sandwich rolls using this dough and it’s one of the most satisfying feelings knowing that I’m eating healthy bread using wholesome ingredients.

This easy bread recipe was slightly adapted from Sue Becker’s basic dough recipe using freshly milled flour. If you haven’t heard of their “real bread talk” on whole grain bread then you need to watch that video. The bread beckers have many yeast bread recipes, muffins, desserts, sourdough, and baking classes that all involve whole grains.  Watch how I make this homemade sandwich bread with my step-by-step recipe, down in the recipe card.

Whole Wheat Sandwich Bread Ingredients:

There are two types of grains you can use for this type of yeast bread recipe, hard white wheat or hard red. I like to use a combination of both and just run them through my grain mill. I use sunflower lecithin and vital wheat gluten for superior light and fluffy loaves of bread but you can enrich the dough with milk or additional eggs.

• Warm water- or hot water in the range of 105° and 115°F is ideal for proofing dry yeast.
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil- adds softness to the bread and helps the bread stay moist longer. It pairs nicely with hearty grain and is perfect for baking.
• Honey- is the perfect wholesome sweetener for yeast bread, look for a mild-flavored honey like clover or Tupelo honey.
• Sea salt- look for a natural sea salt that is minimally processed.
• Eggs- are rich in lecithin and make a soft, smooth dough. It also helps the bread rise and gives the bread a nice brown color.
• Lecithin- emulsifies the ingredients to give the bread a soft smooth texture like store-bought bread. Add 1 tablespoon for every loaf of bread. I like to use sunflower lecithin but soy lecithin will work too.
• Vital Wheat gluten- ensures a good rise and makes a softer loaf. Do not exceed more than 1 tablespoon of gluten per recipe.
• Freshly milled flour- is made from hard red wheat or hard white wheat for this bread recipe. Yeast breads are best with hard wheat varieties, which have a high gluten content perfect for baking yeast breads.
• Dry Active Yeast- is what I typically use. Instant yeast can be used too.

How To Make Soft and Fluffy Homemade Sandwich Bread:

Kneading is key in developing and strengthening gluten. It also makes the dough elastic and stretchy when shaping. The best way to develop gluten is to knead the dough by hand or use a stand mixer for quicker results. This dough will be sticky when first kneading and will get smoother the longer it kneads. If it’s still too sticky after the 5-minute mark add freshly milled flour a tablespoon at a time until the sides no longer stick to the bowl.

Note: Whole wheat sandwich bread with freshly milled flour will be sticky to the touch after kneading. However, as it sits during the first rise it will absorb the flour and make it more workable. So, don’t be tempted to add too much flour after kneading.

1. Combine and Knead the dough. A mixer can help use less flour which makes super fluffly loaves at the end.
2. Rise the dough until doubled in size.
3. Shape the dough. Place into a lightly greased 12-inch bread pan. Let it rise again while the oven preheats.
4. Bake the bread in a long bread pan to replicate the store-bought bread loaf.
5. Make evenly sliced bread by using this electric knife. Store bread in bread bags and freeze any extras.

Can I Make this in the Bread Machine?

This sandwich bread recipe yields two one-pound loaves. You can either use a two-pound bread machine or use it to knead the dough on the dough settings of smaller bread machines, then bake it in bread pans.

How To Store Whole Wheat Sandwich Bread?

The best way to store homemade bread is in bread bags. I will only leave a loaf on the counter if I know I will be using it within the next day. It’s best to freeze bread the same day you baked it for maximum freshness. I typically, double the recipe on baking days to keep extra on hand (it’s a great way to stop buying sandwich bread at the store too).

How To Freeze Sandwich Bread: Typically, I will bake and then cool the loaves on wire racks. After a few hours, I will bag them in bread bags and put the loaves in the freezer. Sandwich bread can be frozen for up to 3 months in the freezer.

Ways To Use Homemade Sandwich Bread:

Need creative ways to use up sandwich bread? Here are some meal ideas and tips to use up every last crumb!

• Cut the bread into thick slices to make French Toast!
• Dice the bread into bite-sized pieces for Homemade Croutons!
• Open-faced pizzas are always a hit with kids, simply spread with marinara sauce, cheese, and pepperoni, then bake!
• Break up leftover bread for this breakfast casserole.
• We love to make salami sandwiches with ham, mayo, yellow mustard, cheese, lettuce, and onions! Serve with pretzels!