Alicia's Oatmeal Bread

I've been playing with recipes ever since you so nicely shared yours with me a couple of weeks ago. I made four or five of the recipes, and then came up with one that combines a little something from each of them and the rising/baking method I learned (and modified a bit) from the awesome awesome awesome awesome River Cottage Family Cookbook and use for my own loaves. I have been making a loaf of this every couple of days for our sandwiches and toast. In fact [munch munch] I'm eating a piece of toast with a weensy bit of spun honey right now as we speak and . . . hold on [puts toast down] . . . mmm [brushes off hands] . . . yum. Good. I love it. Okay. Here's mine.

Alicia's Version of Oatmeal Bread

1 1/4 c. warm water (110 degrees F)
2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
1 packet  or 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
2 1/2 c. all-purpose or bread flour
1 c. whole-wheat  flour
3/4 c. rolled oats
2 teaspoons salt
2 tablespoons soft butter or olive oil

In a large (2 cup) measuring cup, add brown sugar to warm water. Stir to dissolve. Add yeast and stir, then set the timer for 5 minutes so the yeast can proof. While that's happening, stir the all-purpose flour, wheat flour, oats, salt, and butter or oil together in a large bowl (or the bowl of a KitchenAid mixer with the bread hook attached). When the yeast has proofed, add the yeasty-sugary water to the flour mixture a bit at a time and work it all together until you have a shaggy lump of dough. Knead, either by hand on a floured board or by KitchenAid, for 10 minutes.

Shape the dough into a ball, put it back in the bowl, cover it with a damp dishtowel, and leave it to rise in a warm place for 1 1/2 hours. It should double in size. Punch it down, then knead it a few times on a floured board, then shape it into a long sausage shape and stick it in a 9" x 5" well-oiled loaf pan. Cover it with the dishtowel again and let it rise for 1/2 hour. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Place the pan in the oven and set the timer for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, turn the oven down to 400 degrees F. Set the timer for another 15 minutes (if it's getting too dark put a piece of tinfoil loosely over it). Take the bread out and turn it out of its pan and tap it on its bottom. If it sounds hollow, it's done! Let it cool on a wire rack and then make a turkey sandwich with it and watch Judge Judy. That's what I do, anyway. I'm totally into all things courtroom now.

Comments

[Farmgirl Susan]

Your bread looks wonderful! So homey and dense and hearty - in a good way. Love the shape of the loaf. I don't think I've ever baked bread with whole wheat pastry flour before. I'll definitely have to try your recipe! :)

[Wendy]

Yum! Thanks for sharing! I'm trying to get back in the swing of breadmaking.

[Amy Kelly]

This sounds delicious! I've been wanting to try an oatmeal bread recipe but I haven't gotten around to it just yet. Perhaps this weekend I'll give yours a try!

Thanks for the recipe.

[Toni]

judge judy?!! no way. so funny.
that's one beautiful loaf of bread, great job!

[Samantha]

I have always wanted to try to make bread but the whole process seems a bit daunting. I may just have to try it with this recipe.

[mary]

I've never made bread, either. I don't have a KitchenAid mixer, but it is on the top of my wish list, and when I get it, I'm going to try this bread. Sounds yummy. I am always motivated and inspired by what I see on your blog. Have fun watching Judge Judy.

[Shanda]

What is it about homemade bread. I've been itching to bake some, too. My mom has a fantastic recipe for oat rolls so I know I will love this recipe, too. Thanks for sharing!

[Shanda]

Oh I just have to say, I've been watching Judge Judy every evening...it's on at the perfect time here, 7pm and 730pm, just when I'm ready to crash after serving dinner to my family (we have 8 in our house)!

[Julie G. in Iowa]

[Picture Homer Simpson draped over a chair drooling, tongue hanging out of mouth saying, "aggghhhh".] 'Cause that's what me and my stomach are thinking after reading your recipe and staring at that yummy-looking loaf of bread!
Must. Have. Bread. Mmmm.

[Erin]

I was just trying to figure out what kind of bread to make next. You just gave me my recipe. :) Thanks!

[Colleen]

My rumbly tumbly thinks that sounds delicious!

[Natalie VV]

Yesterday... yesterday you could have posted a "buy yeast and butter" warning. Now I have to live with this craving...

[Molly]

Thank you! I'm making this tonight and I can't wait to have a piece. I actually have all the ingredients so no trip to the store required! That's the best part . . .

[Sally]

Yum! That looks delish! I keep looking at the River Cottage cookbook and WANTING it.
Happy weekend!

[Candice]

Your bread looks fabulous! I'm going to have to try your recipe this weekend... after your post I tried one of the recipes that someone suggested and it was just okay, but maybe I didn't do something right with it.

[elyse]

mmmm. i'll bet your bread would make wonderful peanut butter toast.

i love bread. i tried being on atkins once. i lasted about 3 hours. LOL

enjoy!

xo
elyse

[Kim G.]

Can't wait to try this! Thank you. Sweet lovely you.

[jen wheat]

I have to make this break this weekend. Thanks for sharing your recipe.

XOXO
jen wheat

[Debbie F.]

I have been wanting to move beyond my breadmaker and this sounds so easy and yummy. Can't wait to try it!

[Ashley Schott]

Yummmm this sounds delicious! My husband will definitely want to try this one! (he's the bread-making, and winner) Thanks for the great recipe! I'll let you know how his turns out:)

[Lauramacfarlane@mac.com]

This recipe sounds yummy. I look forward to making it this weekend. Thanks for sharing.

[Sarah W]

Spun honey is the BEST! I grew up eating is at my grandmother's house but still eat it now, even though my husband thinks I'm weird :)

And your bread sounds fantastic!

[Julie]

Beautiful loaf! Thank you for sharing your recipe! I'm curious about the pastry flour and will have to do a little research. I thought pastry flour was lower in gluton...I'm intrigued.

[Wrennette A.]

What a lovely gift to us....the picture of your delicious oatmeal bread...and then the recipe so we can create it ourselves. I used to bake my own bread off and on but we are all overweight so.....that was one of the first things that had to change....but this is winter and this is going to be my gift to my family this weekend. I am a soup maker. I love to create different pots of soup.....I find soup more satisfying than any other food. So, what would go perfectly with a pot of wonderful soup?......your bread.
Thankyou Alicia. Enjoy your weekend.

[Angela]

I picked up a bread-machine last summer at a garage sale and loved it. It pooped out about a month ago, smoke was just pouring out of the thing. It was a little scary actually. I'm glad I was home. Ever since I have missed having a loaf of homemade bread each week, if that counts as homemade, lol. I will definitely have to try this. I've never used pastry flour. I'm looking forward to the results. Thanks for the inspiration.

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