Bread Machine Bran Bread (Whole-Wheat)

breadmachinebranbreadwholewheat This bran bread recipe is good for people who want a little extra fiber in their diet and enjoy an all wheat bread with molasses and oats. This easy bread machine recipe makes a delicious, all-purpose loaf you can slice and enjoy anytime.

Wet Ingredients:
1¼ cups water, room temperature
1¼ tsp. sea salt
1½ Tbsp. butter, room temperature, cut into ½" pieces
2 Tbsp. molasses

Dry Ingredients:
3¾ cups whole-wheat flour
⅓ cup + 2 Tbsp. old-fashioned oats
⅓ cup + 2 Tbsp. wheat bran
2¼ tsp. bread machine yeast

All ingredients should be at room temperature before starting.

Unplug the bread machine and remove the bread pan.

Put all wet ingredients in the order listed, into the bread pan fitted with the kneading paddle.

Add all the dry ingredients in the order listed - except the yeast!

Tap the bread pan to settle the dry ingredients and then level, pushing some of them into the corners. Lock the bread pan into the bread maker. Make an indentation in the center of the dry ingredients and fill with yeast.

Select the MENU button and use the following program settings:

MENU: Whole-Wheat
CRUST: Light, Medium or Dark
LOAF: 2 lbs

Press CONFIRM then the START/STOP button to mix, knead, rise and bake.

When the cycle is complete, remove the bread pan from the machine and transfer the bread to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Makes 32 (1 oz) servings.

Cook's Notes:

Resist the temptation to slice the bread right away. The steam trapped by the crust is still baking the bread, inside and releasing that too soon can result in slightly under baked or crumbly bread.
The bread will keep for a few days when stored in a bread box or airtight container at room temperature. If you have too much bread or want to bake a second loaf, freeze the bread for up to a month.
If you don't have bread machine yeast, you can use active dry yeast, but it needs to be dissolved in water before being added to the machine.
When your bread machine has been kneading for a few minutes, check the dough. If it seems too stiff, add 1 tsp. of water and continue checking until it seems soft enough. If too wet, add 1 tsp. flour in small amounts until it seems to be soft yet not sticky.