Whole-Wheat "sugar" Bears

This is a bread recipe. Actually meant to make bread bears, but we have found that this is the wheat bread recipe that we like, so I just make loaves out of it (2-3 loaves). I made it this morning and it actually rose! I got my other unopened yeast out, so maybe that helped.

1 1/4 c sugar

1 1/2 tsp salt

2 packages active dry yeast

about 4 cups all purpose flour

4 c whole-wheat flour

2 c milk

1 c butter

2 eggs

1 Tbsp water

In a large bowl, combine sugar, salt, yeast, 1 cup all purpose flour, and 2 cups wheat flour. In a saucepan over low heat, heat milk and butter until very warm.

With mixer at low speed, beat liquid into dry ingredients until blended. At medium speed, beat 2 minutes. Reserve 1 egg white; beat in remaining eggs and 1 cup of each flour; beat 2 minutes more. Stir in remaining wheat flour and enough additional all purpose flour to make a soft dough,

In floured surface, knead dough about 10 minutes, adding more flour. Shape into a ball. Cover and let rise about 1 hour.

Punch dough down, turn onto floured surface and let rest 15 minutes. Shape dough into loaves (2 or 3). Cover and let rise another hour.

Add 1 Tbsp water to egg white. Brush loaves with egg white (I usually forget this part and they still turn out fine). Bake at 375 for 25 minutes.