100 Percent Whole Wheat Sandwich Bread made with a Stand Mixer

Before Hawaii: a story and recipe from The Baking Wizard!

The flat beater of a KitchenAid mixer does an excellent job of making a light-textured 100 percent whole wheat sandwich loaf.

After I published my food processor method for making a light-textured 100 percent whole wheat sandwich loaf 100% Food Processor Whole Wheat Sandwich Bread), one of my readers asked if the bread could be made with a stand mixer. I was doubtful because the dough is very wet and sticky and not at all suited to being kneaded with a dough hook. But I decided to give the mixer a try, and it worked like a charm.

I could not tell the difference between a mixer-made loaf and one made with a food processor. Boy, was I surprised. I make this bread with the flat beater to hydrate all the flour and to beat in the molasses, egg, oil, and salt. Once the dough has rested for 5 minutes after these ingredients have been beaten in, I find that either the flat beater or the dough hook works to complete the 5 minutes of kneading this wet and sticky dough.

How Long Does Whole Wheat Flour Last?

Be sure your flour is fresh. by that I mean you should use flour from a recently-opened bag, just-opened or up to a month or so ago. If you have whole wheat flour sitting around for a few months at room temperature, I'd toss it. I've not tried freshly milled whole wheat flour, but I see no reason why it wouldn't work.

My model K5A KitchenAid has a 5-quart bowl that's lifted and locked into place before beating. I have not tried a smaller bowl size or a different style of stand mixer. A 6-quart KitchenAid mixer also does a great job with this bread.