Whole-Wheat Bread Hayes - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 cups warm water (105F-115-F)
2 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
1/4 cup molasses
5 -6 cups whole wheat flour
2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 cup canola oil
Egg Wash
1 large egg white, beaten until frothy with
1 teaspoon water
Topping
3 tablespoons old fashioned oats

Preparation

In a small bowl, stir together 1 3/4 cups warm water and yeast, and let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes. In a measuring cup, whisk together remaining 1/4 cup water and molasses.
In a large bowl, stir together 2 cups flour, sugar, salt, and oil and add molasses and yeast mixtures, stirring until combined well.
Stir in enough of remaining 3-4 cups flour, 1/2 cup at a time, for mixture to form a soft dough and turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface; knead dough 8 minutes, or until smooth and elastic, and shape into a ball (it may be a bit sticky at this point, but will be easy to handle after rising). (I let my KitchenAid handle the mixing and kneading.).
Transfer dough to a lightly oiled bowl, turn to coat, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk (about 1 hour).
Punch down dough and let rise, covered 45 more minutes.
Divide dough in half, lightly knead each piece and form into ovals. Transfer loaves to greased loaf pans (8 1/2 X 4 1/2 X 2 inches) and let rise, covered with kitchen towels, 45 minutes.
During the final rise, preheat oven to 400\u00b0F.
Brush tops of loaves lightly with egg wash and sprinkle with oats (or whatever you choose:) Bake loaves in middle of oven 10 minutes. Reduce heat to 350F and bake loaves 20-25 minutes more, or until golden brown.
Turn loaves out onto a rack to cool.