Whole Wheat Bread

Directions

1. 1
   Add 4 1/2 tsp yeast to 3/4 cup water.
2. 2
   Add 1 cup of whole wheat flour and mix vigorously.
3. 3
   Cover bowl with plastic and let sit for 45 minutes to proof.
4. 4
   When sponge is ready, uncover bowl and add the 1 1/2 cups of warm water and 2 cups of whole wheat flour . Stir in very well.
5. 5
   Now add the 1/2 cup vital wheat gluten, 2 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil, 1/3 cup honey and 1 tablespoon salt. Mix these in well. Now start adding the remaining flour about 1/2 cup at a time. (I use my KitchenAid for this).
6. 6
   Knead dough in mixer for 10 minutes or 20-30 minutes by hand. Take a break half-way through if you're hand kneading and let dough rest for 10 minutes.
7. 7
   Place dough into large greased bowl (preferably not metal) and cover with plastic. Leave the dough to rise in a warm place for 1 to 1 1/2 hours until it doubles in size.
8. 8
   Punch dough down, divide dough, and reshape into loaves. Place into greased 9x5 bread pans, cover with plastic and allow to rise again.
9. 9
   Preheat oven to 350°F.
10. 10
    Make egg wash by whisking egg and water together in small bowl.
11. 11
    Brush egg wash over tops of loaves and then place in the oven to bake for 40 minutes.
12. 12
    To test for doneness, pull the loaf out of the pan and tap the bottom with a wooden handle. It should have a hollow sound.
13. 13
    Cool these for at least an hour before slicing. If you don't wait that long the structure of the bread will not support a knife and will mush down and stay permanently mushed when you're done mangling it. Try to be patient.