Oatmeal Bread

This slightly sweet whole grain loaf starts with a cup of cooked steel cut oats, although any kind of cooked oatmeal also be used. It’s great for toasting or for sandwiches.

Hands-On Time: 20 minutes    Rising Time: 2- 2½ hours Bake Time: 30-40 minutes

WHAT YOU NEED:

2 - 2½ cups all-purpose or bread flour

1 cup whole wheat flour

2 tsp. dry yeast (or 1 envelope)

1 cup cooked oatmeal (preferably from steel cut oats or rolled oats)

1 cup milk or water

¼ cup molasses

2 Tbsp. butter or oil

1½ - 2 tsp. salt

Butter or oil to grease pan and proofing bowl

MAKING IT:

In a large bowl, stir together 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 cup whole wheat flour and dry yeast.

In a saucepan, combine cooked oatmeal, milk, molasses, butter and salt. Stir until well blended. Heat mixture to a boil, then remove from heat to cool for about 30 minutes

When oatmeal mixture has cooled, add it to the flour mixture and stir vigorously with wooden spoon until a thick batter forms.  Gradually stir the remaining all-purpose flour until dough ball forms in the bowl.

Turn dough onto lightly floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes, sprinkling flour on work surface as needed to keep dough from sticking.

Place dough in a large bowl that is greased with oil or butter. Spin dough ball in the bowl to lightly coat the surface and prevent drying.  Cover with a clean towel or plastic wrap and let rise in a warm spot until about doubled in volume (60- 90 minutes).

Punch dough down and turn onto floured surface.  Lightly knead once or twice to release large air bubbles. Shape into a loaf by pressing into a round disk. Fold in half and pinch seams together; tuck seams under the loaf.  Place seam-side down in a greased 9 x 5-inch loaf pan. 

Cover the pan with cloth or wax paper and let rise until dough is about 1½ inches above top edge of pan, about 60 minutes.  Preheat oven to 375°F.  Bake for 30-40 minutes or util loaf sounds hollow when bottom crust is tapped.  Cool loaf on wire rack.   Makes one large loaf (12-14 slices per loaf).

NUTRITION:

Nutrition Information per serving (1 slice): 160 Calories; 2.5g Total Fat; (1.5g Sat Fat; 0g Trans Fat); 5mg Chol; 280mg Sodium; 29g Total Carb; (2g Fiber; 6g Total Sugars; 5g Added Sugars); 5g Protein; 10% DV Iron

TIPS:

Quick Tip: Instead of using cooked oatmeal, substitute ½ cup dry rolled oats and add 1 cup additional water to the saucepan; proceed as directed.