Soft Flour in No-Knead Bread Recipe

[wontonfm]

Hello all --

I'm making the no-knead bread recipe that was in the NY Times a while ago. I've been making it for months with a mix of all purpose and whole wheat flour from the grocery today.

Today I went to the health food store to get the whole wheat flour and without thinking bought "whole wheat soft flour". I just put the batch together and thought that I should find out what "soft flour" is.

After some research realized that it has less gluten and is used for cakes etc. I have a vague memory of someone mention using whole wheat pastry flour in the no-knead recipe and it will come out similar to an all white loaf.

Any thoughts? Did I totally ruin the recipe by using whole wheat flour in 2/3 of the recipe?

Thanks!

[zita]

I'm wondering: since no one told you how it would turn out, how DID it turn out?

[wontonfm]

i'd say a 6 out of 10. I put way too much water. I think you do need a flour with a bit more gluten than a soft flour. Also, the whole thing rose VERY quickly and then fell quickly so my loaf was flat. I'd avoid the soft flour I think...

[zita]

Ah, well. Lesson learned. It sounded right that it wouldn't be gluteny enough, but I thought there might be something interesting to discover re the texture. Thanks for the report...and the warning, and better luck next time.

By the way, 1/2 wheat 1/2 white works beautifully.