**UPDATED** Easy Rustic Whole Wheat Bread

Updated Recipe Variation for a Less Dense Bread (April 18, 2021)

Summary of Updated Recipe Variation: The original Easy Rustic Whole Wheat Bread recipe tended to yield a dense, chewy loaf of bread. This is great when served with soup or salad or eaten by itself. But for sandwiches and for those who prefer a lighter, more airy bread, I’ve modified the recipe to achieve that result. Modifications reflected in bold. Enjoy!

I cook.  I am not a baker.  But in the spirit of expanding my horizons, I guess this only makes sense that I venture outside my comfort zone and try my hand at baking.  I may be a one trick pony, but this Easy Rustic Whole Wheat Bread is fabulous!  Four ingredients (no kneading), a Dutch Oven, and 19 hours and you have an amazing loaf of bread!  BTW…don’t worry, 18 of the 19 hours you are just letting the yeast do its thing.

It is actually easier than I described.  But the key is to actually follow the measurements.  Someone told me once that cooking is art and baking is science.  This made sense to me because science was not my thing, so I stayed away from baking.  Cooking, I can adjust along the way.  Not true with baking.  Once in the oven, say a prayer and wish for the best.  I have tried different ratios than the recipe here with varying results.  Do not tempt fate.  Stick to these measurements.

Simple Ingredients

It is 3 ½ cups of whole wheat flour, 2 teaspoons of yeast (do not use fast rising yeast), 1 teaspoon of table salt, and 2 cups of water at room temperature.  That is it! This variation yields a dense, hearty bread that when served with soup or salad, makes a wonderful meal!

If you like a lighter, more airy bread, I found a simple modification to the recipe makes the perfect loaf. All ingredients remain the same, except substitute 2 cups of whole wheat bread flour for 2 cups of whole wheat flour. So the ingredients are 2 cups of whole wheat bread flour, 1 1/2 cups of whole wheat flour, 2 teaspoons of yeast, 1 teaspoon of table salt, and 2 cups of water at room temperature. This will yield a bread more suitable for sandwiches. If your local store does not carry whole wheat bread flour, you can get it here.

Give the yeast 18 hours to get to know its other ingredients and 55 minutes in the Dutch Oven to get baking and you will have a loaf of heaven! 

Variations

I am sure there are a million possible variations for things you can add to the loaf, but two variations I recommend are as follows.  The first variation is to add sliced Kalamata olives (dry the liquid off the olives before using).  The second is to add minced garlic and Rosemary.  I have tried adding these ingredients after mixing the dry ingredients with the water and allowing 18 hours for the yeast to interact.  The result was an extremely dense bread.  For the proper bread density, add the ingredients at the end before placing in the oven. If you try to add different ingredients to the dough, leave a comment below and let me know how it came out.

The Incredible Dutch Oven

The Dutch Oven is key for the equal distribution of heat during the baking process.  Next to my Instant Pot, and recently my Air Fryer, the Dutch Oven is the most used cookware in my kitchen.  That said, you don’t have to go overboard and buy a $300 Dutch Oven.  My Dutch Oven was less than $75 and other than a little discoloration over the years, it works as good as it did the first day I bought it. Here is a link to an affordable 5-quart Dutch Oven.

Seriously, this Easy Rustic Whole Wheat Bread is so delicious and attractive to the eye and palate, you will be proud to gift the bread (just tie a satin ribbon around it and put in a simple gift bag).  Bring this Easy Rustic Whole Wheat Bread and a bottle of Merlot to a holiday party and take in the praise!

Consider serving with my Grapefruit and Shaved Fennel Salad for a light, yet satisfying meal!

Enjoy!

Print Recipe

Easy Rustic Whole Wheat Bread **Updated**

(81 votes, average: 3.11 out of 5)

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Breads – Breads

By Stephen R. MacNeil – Serves: 8 to 10

Prep Time: 15 minutes – Cooking Time: 55 minutes – Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Updated recipe modification! Rustic Whole Wheat Bread with four simple ingredients requiring no kneading and bakes perfectly in a Dutch Oven.

Ingredients

• 3 1/2 Cups of Whole Wheat Flour (or 2 Cups Whole Wheat Bread Flour and 1 1/2 Cups of Whole Wheat Flour for a less dense, more airy loaf)
• 2 Tsp of Yeast
• 1 Tsp of Table Salt
• 2 Cups Water at Room Temperature

Instructions

1

In a large bowl, add the flour, yeast, and salt.

2

With a whisk, combine and mix the dry ingredients.

3

Slowly add the water and mix. Make sure to stir until there is no remaining dry flour.

4

Cover with plastic wrap (or lid) and let it rest at room temperature for 18 hours.

5

After the 18 hours, the dough should have risen and will be moist.

Baking Instructions

6

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.

7

Line the Dutch Oven with Parchment paper. This prevents the bread from sticking to the Dutch Oven. It's helpful, but not necessary.

8

Place the Dutch Oven with the lid on in the oven for 10 minutes to heat. This is an important step.

9

Dust the countertop or sheet pan with whole wheat flour.

10

Remove the dough from the bowl onto the flour dusted surface.

11

Roll the dough over the flour and form a ball.

12

Score the top of the dough ball with an X using a serrated knife.

13

Remove the Dutch Oven from the oven.

14

Place the dough ball in the Dutch Oven and return the Dutch Oven with the lid to the oven.

15

Bake for 30 minutes with the lid on.

16

Remove the lid after 30 minutes and bake without a lid for 25 minutes.

17

After the 25 minute, remove the Dutch Oven from the oven.

18

Transfer the bread from the Dutch Oven onto a baking rack.

19

Let it cool for 10 minutes and it is ready to eat!

Notes

After the bread is at room temperature, it can be stored in a paper bag or aluminum foil.