Honey Peasant Bread (Bread Machine)

Peasant bread is the original no-frills loaf, and this bread machine version keeps that honest, straightforward spirit alive. With just six ingredients and about 10 minutes of hands-on work, you get a wholesome, nutty whole wheat loaf that tastes like it took real effort.

Three cups of whole wheat flour give this bread a hearty, grainy chew, while a small drizzle of honey softens the crumb and adds a whisper of sweetness. There is no butter, no oil, no eggs. Just flour, water, honey, salt, and yeast doing what they have done for centuries.

Let the bread machine run its cycle, then give the loaf a full 20 minutes to rest before slicing. That resting time lets the crumb set and the crust firm up, so you get clean slices instead of a crumbly mess.

Pro Tips

• Vital wheat gluten is optional but highly recommended. Whole wheat flour is lower in gluten than white, and the added gluten helps the loaf rise taller with a lighter texture.
• Use warm water (about 110 F) to help the yeast activate quickly in the bread machine.
• Let the finished loaf rest on a wire rack for 20 minutes before cutting. This is not optional if you want sliceable bread.
• If the loaf comes out too dense, increase the gluten flour to the full 3 tablespoons next time.

Variations

• Replace 1 cup of whole wheat flour with bread flour for a lighter, softer crumb.
• Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and a teaspoon of dried rosemary for a rustic herb peasant bread.
• Stir in ¼ cup of toasted sunflower seeds or flax seeds at the beep for a seeded loaf.