Homemade Honey Wheat Bread

I don't cook much, but I do love to make bread. It's a very therapeutic process for me. When I was on vacation last week, I made a batch of Honey Wheat Bread (whole wheat) that was very yummy!

Here's the recipe:

3 cups warm water
2 cakes yeast (or 2 tablespoons)
1/2 cup honey
6-7 cups whole wheat flour
1/4 cup olive oil
2 teaspoons salt (I didn't use this)

Place the warm water in a large mixing bowl and sprinkle in the yeast. Allow 5 minutes for the yeast to start to bubble. Stir in the honey, 3 cups of the flour, the oil and salt (optional). Stir this mixture by hand until smooth.

Slowly add the remaining flour (3 cups), cup by cup, until the dough becomes easy to handle. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead until it is smooth and satiny. Use more flour if the dough is sticky (that extra cup of flour).

Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl. Cover and let rise in a warm place until double in size (about 1 hour). When doubled, remove the dough and "punch" it down. Divide into 2 parts and shape into loaves. Place into 2 greased loaf pans. Cover and let rise again until doubles in volume.

Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for 50 minutes, or until the top is well browned. Remove from pans to cool.

* Bread made with honey stays fresh longer than bread baked with sugar.