Pecan Wheat Bread

Pecan Wheat Bread

Ingredients:
2 teaspoons instant yeast
1 to 1 cup+2 tablespoons (227g to 255g) water*
3 tablespoons (43g) dark brown sugar
2 tablespoons (28g) butter
2 cups (241g) Unbleached Bread Flour
1 cup (113g) White Whole Wheat Flour
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
1 cup (113g) diced pecans or walnuts

*Use the greater amount of water in winter or in a dry climate; the lesser amount in summer or a humid climate.

Directions:
To bake in a bread machine: Place all of the ingredients into the pan of your bread machine in the order recommended by the manufacturer. Program the machine for the basic cycle, and press Start.

Check the dough's consistency about 10 minutes before the end of the final kneading cycle, adding additional water or flour to form a soft, smooth ball of dough. Allow the machine to complete its cycle. Cool the bread completely before serving.

To bake in an oven: Program your bread machine for the dough or manual cycle. When the entire cycle is complete (including the rise), remove the dough and place it in a lightly greased 8 1/2" x 4 1/2" loaf pan.

Allow the dough to rise, covered, for about 1 hour, or until it's crowned about 1" over the rim of the pan.

Bake the bread in a preheated 350°F oven for 35 to 45 minutes, or until it's a deep golden brown and a digital thermometer inserted into the center of the loaf registers about 190°F. Remove the bread from the oven, turn it out of the pan, and let it cool on a rack.

Store completely cooled bread, well wrapped, at room temperature for several days. Freeze for longer storage.

Tips from our Bakers
Can you make this bread without a bread machine? Of course. Simply mix and knead the dough by hand (or using a mixer), and follow the directions above for rising, shaping, and baking.