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Substituting whole-wheat flour, in focaccia and otherwise

Brown_D@kids.wustl.edu
Mon, 15 Sep 2003 18:57:29 -0500
v103.n041.8
Foccaccia is a particularly good place to sub whole wheat for white flour 
because you're not using a loaf pan and getting depressed if the whole 
wheat loaf doesn't rise quite as high.....that's a big part of the reason 
why I love making flatbreads of all kinds, because they're more forgiving 
of my mistakes....although the more times I read and reread Peter 
Reinhart's books, the fewer mistakes I make!

You'll find lots of suggestions out there for converting white flour 
recipes to whole wheat.  I routinely do the following:

--substitute whole wheat flour for white flour weight-for-weight;
--add 10-15% additional liquid:  usually I add the amount called for in the 
recipe, mix briefly, then check the hydration before adding a little more 
water;
--give the whole wheat flour a little more time to hydrate between the 
initial mixing and serious kneading;
--don't worry about the windowpane test, but rely on how supple and soft 
the dough feels;
--and if I'm trying for the very lightest bread, I'll add 1-2T gluten flour 
per 500g/1 lb/3C flour.

Diane Brown in St. Louis