Directions

1. Preheat oven to 150°-200°F (no higher).
2. Combine milk, 2 tablespoons butter, and the honey in a small saucepan and place over medium-low heat until butter is melted. Remove from heat, stir in water, and insert an instant-read thermometer. Let stand until mixture cools to 120°F. Pro tip: To hasten cooling, dip saucepan in a larger bowl of cold water without immersing it.
3. While milk mixture cools, combine whole-wheat and all-purpose flours, yeast, and salt in a stand mixer bowl. (If you’re making the dough by hand, see step 5.) Mix with the paddle attachment at low speed. With mixer at low speed, slowly pour in milk mixture, blending until a shaggy dough forms.