Guyanese Whole Wheat Plait Bread

Learn how to make the softest whole wheat bread with this Guyanese plait bread recipe. Made with simple ingredients, in less than 2 hours, this easy recipe will make you a baker!

Homemade Whole Wheat Bread

I love oven fresh bread but I don’t bake bread often. I mostly make homemade bread when I make pepperpot, once or twice a year. So when one of my subscribers asked for a bread recipe and wanted a whole wheat version, I was super excited to get in the kitchen.

I’ve made Guyanese plait bread before, the classic version, and a gluten-free plait bread too.

Why You’ll Love This Whole Wheat Plait Bread Recipe

• Great for Beginners: If you’re new to baking bread, this is a great recipe to get you started! It’s made with simple ingredients, easy techniques, and no fancy equipment!
• Healthier Alternative to White Bread: Whole wheat bread is generally considered healthier than white bread because it retains the bran and germ, which contain fiber, vitamins, and minerals. This bread improves digestive health and offers more health benefits compared to the refined flour used in white bread.
• Best Tasting Whole Wheat Bread: Whole wheat gets a bad rep as dry and tasteless but this bread is slightly nutty with a subtle sweetness and it’s incredibly soft and chewy.

Ingredients for Whole Wheat Bread

This recipe is made with simple, wholesome ingredients that you probably already have.

• Brown sugar: This activates the yeast and sweetens the dough.
• Dry active yeast: Make sure the packet isn’t expired.
• Warm water: Ensure the water is warm enough to activate the yeast (about 110°F – 115°F). Use an instant-read thermometer for accuracy.
• Whole milk and butter: Dairy adds moisture to the bread and ensures it browns when baked.
• Whole wheat flour: This is heartier than all-purpose flour.
• Salt: Bread tastes flat without salt.
• Oil: Use this for oiling the bowl.

See recipe card for quantities.

How to Make Whole Wheat Plait Bread

Activate Yeast

Start by mixing 1 tablespoon of brown sugar, yeast, and water in a small bowl until the sugar dissolves. Give it a few minutes to let the yeast work its magic (about 5 minutes).

Add Warm Milk & Butter

Now, grab a measuring cup and combine milk and butter. Pop it in the microwave until the butter melts. Let it cool, and when it’s ready, add in the fermented yeast.

Combine Wet Ingredients & Dry Ingredients

In a big mixing bowl, bring together flour, the rest of the brown sugar, and salt. Make a little well in the center, pour in the milk and yeast mix, and knead everything together to create a soft dough.

Knead Whole Wheat Dough

Transfer your dough to a floured surface and knead for 5 to 10 minutes with the base of your hand. Shape it into a nice, tight ball, then toss it into a greased bowl. Cover it up with a damp paper towel and let it chill until the dough doubles in size (usually about 1 hour).

Second Rise

Once your dough has puffed up, divide it into 3 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a strip and weave them together. Pop that beautiful plaited dough into a greased loaf pan, cover it with a damp paper towel, and let it sit until it doubles in size again.

Bake Whole Wheat Bread

When your dough is ready for the oven, give it a gentle brush with some water and bake it at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 to 40 minutes. Once it’s a glorious golden brown, take it out, brush the top with butter, and let it cool outside of the pan. Finally, enjoy your freshly baked whole wheat plait bread!

Step-by-Step Video Instructions for Whole Wheat Bread Recipe

For this recipe, I made a video tutorial. There is no audio, so don’t adjust your volume. 🙂

Storage

Wrap the load with plastic wrap and it will last at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Tips for the Best Whole Wheat Bread

• Do not use hot water. If the water is scalding, it will kill the yeast and the dough won’t rise.
• If the dough gets dry while kneading, add 2 tablespoons of water.
• Just before baking, brush the plait bread with room-temperature water. This keeps the bread moist so it doesn’t get too crusty in the oven.
• Immediately brush the bread with butter when it’s done. This adds moisture and flavor.
• Wait until the bready has cooled before slicing. I know it’s tempting!

Recipe Variations

• Honey: Sweeten the bread and add more flavor by using this natural sweetener.
• Nuts: Wheat already has a nutty taste. Enhance that by adding pine nuts or pumpkin seeds. You may need to closely watch the bread to ensure it doesn’t burn.
• Loaf: Don’t want to make a plait? Make a standard loaf of bread by simply rolling the dough into a log.

Frequently Asked Questions

Guyanese Whole Wheat Plait Bread

Althea Brown

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Learn how to make the softest whole wheat bread with this Guyanese plait bread recipe. Made with simple ingredients, in less than 2 hours, this easy recipe will make you a baker!

5 from 5 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 1 hour hour 30 minutes minutes

Cook Time 1 hour hour 30 minutes minutes

Total Time 1 hour hour 30 minutes minutes

Servings 8

Calories 254

Course Bread

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Equipment

• ▢
  Mixing Bowls one small, one large
• ▢
  Loaf Pan

Ingredients 

1x2x3x

• ▢ 4 tbsp brown sugar
• ▢ 1 tbsp dry active yeast
• ▢ 1/4 cup warm water
• ▢ 1 cup whole milk
• ▢ 1/4 cup butter
• ▢ 3 cups whole wheat flour
• ▢ 1/4 teaspoon salt
• ▢ 2 tablespoon oil for oiling the bowl

Instructions 

• Combine 1 tbsp brown sugar, yeast and water in a small bowl. Mix until sugar dissolves. Let sit until yeast ferments (about 5 minutes).
• Combine milk and butter in a measuring cup. Microwave on high until butter melts. Set aside and let cool. When cool add fermented yeast.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, remaining brown sugar and salt. Mix together. Then, make a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Add milk and yeast mixture to the dry ingredients. Knead together to make a soft dough.
• Turn onto a floured surface and continue to knead for 5 to 10 minutes. Shape into a tight ball. Place in a grease bowl, cover with a damp paper towel and let sit until dough doubles in size (about 1 hour).
• After dough rises to double its size, separate into 3 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a strip. Plait strips together. Place plaited dough into a greased loaf pan. Cover with a damp paper towel and let sit until doubles in size.
• Once dough doubles, brush with a bit of water and bake for 30 to 40 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. When bread is golden brown, remove from oven and brush top with butter. Remove from pan and let cool.

Notes

I live in dry Denver that is also 5280 feet above sea level, so bread baking is often a challenge. I brush the top of my bread with water to prevent it from getting crusty while baking. I also bake it low and slow. Most bread recipes will say bake at 375 or 400 degrees. Try this temperature first and if for some reason it doesn’t work you can increase the heat.

Nutrition

Calories: 254kcalCarbohydrates: 46gProtein: 7gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.03gCholesterol: 4mgSodium: 141mgPotassium: 225mgFiber: 5gSugar: 11gVitamin A: 53IUVitamin C: 0.001mgCalcium: 74mgIron: 2mg

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Keywords: Guyanese whole wheat bread, Guyanese whole wheat plait bread, homemade whole wheat bread, How to make the softest whole wheat bread, whole wheat braided bread recipe, whole wheat bread, whole wheat ingredients in bread, whole wheat plait bread

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The information listed in the recipe card is an estimate provided by an online nutrition tool. The tool evaluates ingredient names and amounts then makes calculations based on the number of servings listed for the recipe. It is provided as a general guideline and not as a precise calculation. For precise nutrition information please feel free to add the ingredients to your preferred nutrition calculator or consult a doctor or licensed nutritionist.

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