LIGHT WHEAT SANDWICH BREAD

Yield: one loaf

2 cups unbleached bread flour
1 1/2 cups whole-wheat flour
1 1/2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons non-fat dry milk
1 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 1/4 cups warm water

Dissolve the yeast in the water, and let it sit until it is foamy, about 5 minutes. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine 1 cup of the bread flour, whole-wheat flour, sugar, salt, and powdered milk. Add the butter and yeast water. Add more bread flour as necessary, ¼ cup at a time, while mixing on the lowest setting until the ingredients form a ball.

Using the dough hook attachment, knead on the mixer’s second lowest setting. Add more flour if needed to make a firm, supple dough that is slightly tacky but not sticky. Lightly oil a large bowl and transfer the dough to the bowl, rolling it around to coat it with oil. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap.
Allow the dough to rise at room temperature for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, or until the dough doubles in size.

Remove the dough from the bowl and press it by hand into a rectangle about 3/4 inch thick, 6 inches wide, and 8 to 10 inches long. Form it into a loaf by working from the short side of the dough, rolling up the length of the dough one section at a time, pinching the crease with each rotation to strengthen the surface tension. Place the loaf in a lightly oiled 9 inch loaf pan; the ends of the loaf should touch the ends of the pan to ensure an even rise. Mist the top with cooking spray and loosely cover with plastic wrap.

Proof at room temperature for approximately 90 minutes, or until the dough crests above the lip of the pan.

Preheat the oven to 350° F with the oven rack on the middle shelf.

Place the bread pan in the oven and bake for 30 minutes. Rotate the pan 180 degrees and continue baking for 15 to 30 minutes.

When the bread is finished baking, remove it immediately from the loaf pan and allow it to cool completely on a rack before slicing or serving.