Wheat and White Bread

I made this on Saturday with Acata and the others in the big blue house.  It turned out really well, and I'm a little nervous that I might be reinforcing my carbohydrate binge, but this was a good recipe.  Baking bread makes the house smell amazing.

Wheat Bread Recipe (make 2 loaves)
The Sponge
4 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
3/4 cup warm water
1 cup whole wheat flour

Mix the yeast and warm water and see if it merges together, signifying that it is still active.  Mix in the 1 cup whole wheat flour.  Cover with plastic wrap and let sit for 45 minutes, or until sponge has deflated into a concave shape.

The Dough
1 1/2 cups warm water
4 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup white flour
2 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil1/3 cup honey
1 tablespoon salt
Optional:  Add a tablespoon or two of ground flax seed or add up to 1/4 cup of ground oatmeal.

1. Uncover the sponge and mix in 1.5 cups of water and 2 cups of whole wheat flour.
2. Add 1/2 cup white flour, vegetable oil, honey and salt.  Mix, then start adding the remainder flour 1/2 cup at a time until you're at 4 cups.  When you're ready, put the dough onto the stable and start to knead in the remaining flour.
3. Knead dough.
4. Grease a non-metallic bowl and roll the dough in it for a little bit.  Cover with plastic wrap and let sit in non-draft, room/warm temperature place for 1 - 1 1/2 hours, or until double in size.  Poke a finger into it, and it should not refill.
5. Once doubled in size, take out dough and gently squeeze out air bubbles.  Flatten gently, and roll into shape and place into greased bread pan.  Let rise again until double.
6. Bake at 350 degrees for about 40 minutes.

White Bread Recipe (make 2 loaves)
6 cups flour, more or less, divided
1 tablespoon sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 envelope active dry yeast
2 cups very warm water, about 120°
2 tablespoons softened butter

1. Mix warm water and yeast first, as with wheat bread.
2. Mix in 2 cups flour, sugar and salt.
3. Add water and butter and mix.
4. Add 3 1/2 cup flour in 1/2 increments and mix until ready to knead.
5. Knead with remaining flour.
6. Place in greased non-metallic bowl and let rise until double; poke a finger into it and it should not refill.
7. Punch out air bubbles, roll into shape and place into greased bread pan.  Let rise again until double.
8. Bake at 400 degrees for about 25-30 minutes.