When I first got my bread machine, I wanted something more than just white bread. I was craving that cozy, homemade feel—something hearty, slightly sweet, and kid-approved.
That’s when I stumbled into the magic of this honey whole wheat bread. It’s just the right mix of wholesome and familiar, with a soft texture that makes it perfect for everything from PB&Js to toast with butter melting into the edges.
This bread machine recipe is the one I now make every week—and once you taste it, you’ll know why.
Why This Bread Machine Recipe Belongs in Your Weekly Rotation
This loaf strikes a rare sweet spot: it’s nutritious without being overly dense, and flavorful without leaning too far into “earthy.” And because it’s made in the bread machine, there’s almost zero hands-on time.
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Here’s what makes it a keeper:
- Kid-friendly taste with a gentle sweetness from honey
- Fluffy yet hearty texture from the mix of whole wheat and bread flour
- Perfect for sandwiches, toasts, or even grilled creations
- Consistent results—no babysitting the dough required
- Meal prep friendly, stays soft for days and freezes beautifully
Whether you’re meal prepping for the week or just want your kitchen to smell like a bakery on Sunday morning, this recipe delivers.
Flavor Profile: Sweet, Nutty & Completely Irresistible
If you’ve ever had a slice of bread that tasted bland or dry, you know how disappointing it can be. This recipe dodges all that with a flavor combo that’s surprisingly rich for something so simple.
The honey gives it a mellow sweetness—nothing cloying—while the whole wheat flour brings that warm, nutty backdrop. And thanks to a bit of butter and milk in the dough, it bakes up with a soft, tender crumb that’s anything but dry.
Want to switch things up? Add-ins like sunflower seeds, oats, or chopped walnuts work beautifully here. But honestly, it’s so good plain that I rarely bother.
Serving Ideas That Go Beyond Butter
One of the best things about this honey whole wheat bread is its versatility. You can dress it up or keep it simple, and it always works.
Some of my favorite ways to serve it:
- Toasted with olive oil and avocado – a crisp, golden base for your morning avo toast
- Elvis-style sandwich – peanut butter, crispy bacon, and banana (don’t knock it ’til you try it)
- Mediterranean veggie sandwich – layered with cucumbers, tomatoes, sprouts, and herbed cream cheese
- Grilled cheese upgrade – the slight sweetness plays so well with sharp cheddar
- French toast – yep, this bread soaks up egg like a champ
Variations & Substitutions to Fit Any Diet
Even though this recipe already balances taste and nutrition, you can tweak it to fit your preferences or dietary needs without losing that soft, sliceable texture.
Here are a few smart swaps:
- Dairy-free? Use oat milk or almond milk and plant-based butter.
- Vegan? Replace the egg with a flax egg and choose maple syrup instead of honey.
- Lower sugar? Cut the honey in half or use a sugar-free alternative.
- Add fiber? Toss in a spoonful of wheat germ or ground flaxseed.
You can even change the ratio of whole wheat to bread flour if you want a denser loaf, though I find this version strikes just the right balance.
Make It Once, Crave It Forever
There’s something wildly satisfying about making your own bread—especially when it’s this easy. This honey whole wheat loaf has become the cornerstone of my meal prep routine.
It’s one of those recipes that quietly makes life better: breakfast is smoother, lunches feel homemade, and snack time? Handled.
Once you try it, I’m pretty sure it’ll earn a permanent spot in your weekly rotation.
Honey Whole Wheat Bread Machine Recipe
Equipment
- Bread machine with Basic/White program
- 1½- to 2-pound loaf capacity pan
Ingredients
Basic Version: (1½-Pound Loaf)
- ⅓ cup water
- ½ cup milk
- ¼ cup honey
- 1 large egg
- 1 tbsp butter, softened and cut into pieces
- 2 cups bread flour
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 2 tsp kosher salt
- 2¼ tsp yeast
Larger Loaf: (2-Pound Loaf)
- ½ cup water
- ⅔ cup milk
- ⅓ cup honey
- 1 large egg
- 1½ tbsp butter, softened and cut into pieces
- 2⅔ cups bread flour
- 1⅓ cups whole wheat flour
- 2½ tsp kosher salt
- 1 tbsp yeast
Instructions
- Add ingredients to your bread machine pan in the order listed, starting with water and ending with yeast.
- Select the Whole Grain or Basic/White bread program, depending on your machine.
- Choose the loaf size (1½ lb or 2 lb) to match your ingredient amounts.
- Press Start and allow the machine to complete the cycle.
- When the baking cycle is done, remove the bread pan and carefully transfer the loaf to a wire rack.
- Cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing to prevent crumbling.
Notes
- The combination of bread flour and whole wheat flour ensures softness without losing whole grain benefits.
- Milk adds tenderness, while honey provides subtle sweetness and enhances browning.
- Perfect for both sweet and savory applications.
Nancy has been a plant person from an early age. That interest blossomed into a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Nancy worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.