Bread Machine Honey Wheat Bread with Cherries & Walnuts
Summary
This Bread Machine Honey Wheat Bread combines whole wheat flour, honey, dried cherries, and walnuts into a soft, lightly sweet loaf that's perfect for breakfast, sandwiches, or snacking. The bread machine makes it easy to bake fresh homemade bread with minimal effort.
Bread Machine Honey Wheat Bread with Cherries & Walnuts
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- This recipe is so simple but delicious! I always have these ingredients on hand.
- Put the water and half and half together in one measuring cup and microwave for one minute. This will heat the mixture to lukewarm.
- Next, add the water and half and half mixture to your bread machine bowl.
- Next, add the honey, olive oil, whole wheat four, bread flour, bread machine yeast, kosher salt, dried cherries and walnuts.
- Put your bowl into your bread machine, set for 1.5 lb. loaf and light or medium crust. Press start and wait for the smells to fill up your kitchen.
- Note: Follow your bread machine manufacturer’s recommendations for proper ingredient order. I also add my dried fruit and nuts at the beginning. I don’t mind they break up a bit. If you want chunkier pieces, your machine will recommend the proper time for the fruit and nuts to be added.
Video
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Let us know how it was!When to add the cherries & walnuts
Add the dried cherries and walnuts at the beginning by placing them in the bread machine bowl with the other ingredients. If you prefer chunkier pieces, add the fruit and nuts at the time recommended by your bread machine so they remain less broken up.
Why warm water + half‑and‑half matters
Warming the water and half‑and‑half to lukewarm before adding helps yeast become active when the machine starts. The half‑and‑half adds a bit of fat and richness from the dairy, which contributes to a slightly more tender crumb and a richer mouthfeel. Avoid using liquid that feels hot to the touch because overly hot liquid can harm yeast activity.
Adding dried cherries and walnuts: what timing does to texture
Adding dried cherries and walnuts at the start means they get worked into the dough during kneading, which tends to break them into smaller pieces and distributes them more evenly through the loaf.
- Added later (when your machine signals or via a dispenser): Mixing them in at the machine’s fruit/nut signal or from a dispenser usually leaves chunkier pieces and more distinct pockets of fruit and nut.
- No dispenser: Many home machines don’t have a dispenser, so placing the fruit and nuts in the bowl with the other ingredients is a convenient default that produces a consistent result.
Understanding the 1.5 lb loaf and bread machine settings
A 1.5 lb loaf is a small-to-medium loaf that yields a modest number of slices. The light or medium crust options control how long the baking element browns the outside: light gives a milder, softer crust while medium produces a slightly firmer, more browned crust. Because machines vary, select the 1.5 lb program and the crust setting on your machine and follow any model‑specific guidance from the manufacturer.
Watch Dr. J Make Bread Machine Honey Wheat Bread with Cherries & Walnuts
Watch Dr. J make Bread Machine Honey Wheat Bread with Cherries & Walnuts and see how it comes together.
