Homemade Cracked Wheat Bread is a delicious loaf of bread. This homemade bread is full of flavor with a bit of texture from the cracked wheat. This recipe makes two loaves of hearty bread full of whole wheat flavor and goodness.
I love making homemade bread. There's just something amazing about the process of taking basic ingredients and turning them into a perfect loaf of bread.
Cracked Wheat
Cracked wheat is a whole wheat berry that has been ground into coarse pieces. Adding it to bread gives a bit of texture and flavor. Cracked wheat is high in fiber and full of nutrients.
Most cracked wheat recipes call for soaking the cracked wheat in boiling water first to help soften the hard kernel. I do that too, but because I like a bit more texture I also add additional cracked wheat that hasn't been soaked. This bread is perfect for slicing and used for sandwiches. But it's also really great toasted with butter and jam in the morning.
Storing and freezing homemade bread
Once the loaves are cooled, I slice both loaves. I keep one for eating and throw one in the freezer. Homemade bread only stays fresh for a couple of days.
Freezing one lets me have homemade bread all week long. I just pull the second loaf out mid week. Because it is pre sliced it is easy to use right away. The kids will often make their sandwiches on the bread while it's still frozen. It thaws quickly and their sandwich is perfect by lunch time.
I like to make a variety of homemade bread. Some of my favorites include Honey Oat Bread, Multigrain Bread, White Whole Wheat Bread, Potato Bread and Artisan Bread.
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Cracked Wheat Bread
Equipment
- Measuring Cups
- Measuring Spoons
- Bread Pan
Ingredients
- ½ Cup cracked wheat
- 2 cups boiling water
- 2 ¼ teaspoons yeast (or 1 package)
- ¼ cup honey
- ¼ cup butter (softened)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup vital wheat gluten
- ¾ cup warm water
- ½ cup cracked wheat
- 3 cups whole wheat flour
- 2-3 cups all purpose flour.
Instructions
- Add cracked wheat and boiling water into a large mixing bowl.
- Let soak for about 15 minutes until mixture has cooled
- Sprinkle yeast on top of mixture and let sit for an additional 5 minutes.
- Mix in honey, butter, salt, vital wheat gluten, additional cracked wheat, 1 cup water.
- Mix in wheat flour one cup at a time.
- Continue mixing in all purpose flour until bread dough comes together in a ball.
- Knead in a stand mixer for 5 minutes.
- Place dough in a large, greased bowl and cover with greased plastic wrap. Set aside until double in size.
- Once doubled, lightly punch down dough and divide into two sections.
- Form loaves and place into greased bread pans.
- Cover with greased plastic wrap and let rise for about 45 minutes.
- Cook in a preheated 375 degree oven for 35 minutes.
- Cool on a baking rack for 5 minutes in pan and then remove bread from pan and let it cool completely before cutting.
Notes
I use a stand mixer to make and knead bread.
Nutritional Disclaimer:
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and should only be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. To obtain the most precise nutritional information in a provided recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the exact ingredients you are using when preparing the recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Nutrition
allie @ Through Her Looking Glass says
Love this GORGEOUS loaf Kathy!!! You have outdone yourself. I love bread too and more than dessert. I used to mill all my own flour and bake my own bread. Now with four kids going a million different directions, I just don't have the time to do the millling and I miss it so much. Is till occasionally make bread. You recipe is perfect. I somteimes add a bit of soy lecithin to mine and that is supposed to improve the shelf life. But it never even lasts that long around here so I don't know why I bother. lol
Kathy says
I'm impressed! I have only milled flour a couple of times. I keep thinking I need to get back into it. Just keeps things one step closer to nature!
Manali @ CookWithManali says
making breads is the best! love the addition of cracked wheat here Kathy!
Kathy says
I love making just about any kind of bread!
Megan - The Emotional Baker says
I love making bread, too. This looks like a great recipe and I can't wait to give it a try 🙂
Kathy says
Making bread is so therapeutic!
Dawn @ Girl Heart Food says
I have to agree with you there, Kathy! I love making bread. There's something so satisfying and relaxing about the whole process. This recipe looks lovely. I can totally see myself smearing some butter on here and eating straight out of the oven!
annie@ciaochowbambina says
Mmmm - I am imagining this beauty toasted with butter and jam. You've put me in my happy place! And I like that you kept a few little crunchy kernels of cracked wheat! The texture is everything!
Kathy says
That little extra crunch just adds a ton!
Balvinder says
It is so wonderful to see home made bread in the morning!
Anu - My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says
Love wheat breads and this one with cracked wheats look more healthy and more delish.
Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks says
There isn't much better than homemade bread! Well, dessert maybe... This cracked wheat bread sure looks delicious! Pinned!
Kathy says
Thanks, Rachelle....and yep....it is delicious!
Amy (Savory Moments) says
This bread looks really beautiful! A perfect loaf.
Rahul @samosastreet.com says
Your loaves are so freaking gorgeous! I’d totally devour a few toasts right now
Nicole @ Young, Broke and Hungry says
This bread looks so fluffy and soft, while bursting with nutrients. A total winner.
Amanda says
I love baking bread too, but I've never tried cracked wheat before. I love that this is such a wholesome, wheaty bread, but it still looks fluffy and light!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
I'm with you, Kathy! I LOVE to bake bread, I find it so therapeutic. Plus you can't beat the way it makes your home smell - so good! LOVING this cracked wheat bread! I bet the texture of this carb-a-licious bread is amazing! Perfect for sandwiches! Cheers, friend!
David @ Spiced says
I think we share a baking soul, Kathy! I love baking breads, but desserts are right there close behind. Cracked wheat in bread is delicious, and I always use it when I make my grain bread. I want to try this recipe soon though...it's been a while since I've made a good sandwich bread! Thanks for sharing!!
Kate @ Framed Cooks says
Oh GOSH, does this look good - I can almost smell it baking. Cracked wheat, here I come!!
Jenny says
i will have to try this. can you buy the cracked wheat at any grocery?
Kathy says
You can sometimes find it in the organic section. I had to buy mine in a health food store.
Adina says
I've never made bread using cracked wheat before but it sounds like a great idea. And I do the same with the bread, make a double batch and freeze the half of it.
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
Kathy, you are totally inspiring me to start baking more breads! I usually shy away from breads because mine don't always look as gorgeous as yours! But I think I need to keep practicing!!
Kathy says
I'll bet your loaves look just fine, but even if they aren't perfect, the taste will still be amazing!
Laura ~ Raise Your Garden says
Hmmmm. I really like your freezing idea. Sounds like a plan. I'd rather make bread any day over dessert for the smell wafting through my house. Not that desserts don't smell good, but bread is wonderful!
Kathy says
The smell of baking bread is the best.
karrie @ Tasty Ever After says
I was just telling Hubby this morning how I wished we had some good cracked wheat bread on hand to toast with our breakfast...and here's your recipe!! Did you post this just for me? lol! Pinning and making it so I can have yummy wheat toast with my breakfast tomorrow 🙂
Kathy says
Yep...I made this just for you 🙂