Multigrain bread is among the most interesting varieties of whole grain loaves, and it offers a number of potential health benefits as well. According to the University of Georgia College of Family and Consumer Sciences, whole grain products can help lower blood cholesterol and blood pressure levels, reduce the risks of heart disease, stroke, cancer and diabetes, lower blood sugar, improve digestive health and aid in weight maintenance. Although you can use a variety of whole grain flours to make a loaf of multigrain bread, the easiest way to do it is by using a pre-mixed bag of multigrain cereal.
Step 1
Set 3 tbsp. butter out at room temperature for about 20 minutes or until softened.
Step 2
Combine the butter with the all-purpose flour, whole-wheat flour, multigrain hot cereal mix, brown sugar, vital wheat gluten, active dry yeast, salt, nonfat dry milk and lukewarm water in a bowl with a spoon until a dough is formed.
Step 3
Knead the multigrain dough with your hands, a standing mixer or a bread machine for five to 10 minutes or until the dough feels smooth, supple and elastic.
Step 4
Cover your bowl with a sheet of plastic wrap and allow the ball of dough to rest in a warm place, or one with a temperature between 75 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit, for 60 to 90 minutes or until it is puffy. The dough may not be completely doubled in size at the end of its rising, but it should have noticeably expanded.
Step 5
Remove the bread dough from the bowl and gently shape it into a rectangular loaf.
Step 6
Rub the inside and bottom of your loaf pan with a light coating of olive oil, and transfer the loaf of dough into the pan.
Step 7
Drape plastic wrap over the loaf for a second time and allow it to rise in a warm place for about 90 minutes or until the top of the dough has just surpassed the rim of the pan in the middle.
Step 8
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit near the end of rising time. Make sure to turn the oven on at least 15 to 20 minutes in advance of baking so that it's at the proper temperature by the time you're ready to put in the bread.
Step 9
Bake the multigrain loaf for about 40 minutes or until the bread is golden.
Tips and Warnings
- It's important that the water you use isn't so hot that it will kill the yeast. If it is too hot, the bread won't rise. According to Land O'Lakes, the ideal water temperature is between 105 and 115 degrees Fahrenheit. If you have an instant-read thermometer, use it to gauge the temperature of the water before you add it to the dough.
Things You'll Need
- 3 tbsp. butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
- 1/2 cup multigrain hot cereal mix
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp. vital wheat gluten
- 2 tsp. active dry yeast
- 1 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/4 cup nonfat dry milk
- 1 1/4 cup lukewarm water
- Bowl
- Spoon
- Olive oil
- Loaf pan
- Plastic wrap
- Oven
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