There’s nothing like the aroma and flavor of homemade bread, and it’s easier to make than you may think — you just need to carve out a day to hang out at home, catching up on chores or curling up with a book, while waiting for the dough to rise.

This hearty, lightly-sweetened loaf slices beautifully for sandwich-making, but before you store it away, reward yourself with the first slice as soon as it emerges from the oven. Spread with softened butter, drizzle with honey or sorghum, or smear with any of The Old Mill’s small-batch jams or jellies.