Thursday, May 28, 2015

Country-Style Oatmeal Bread



Carol sent me a photo of the bread and I hoped she would share it on the blog. It looked so good and know there are quite a few people who love making bread. 

 Carol loves to share and I thank her for adding another one of fabulous recipes.

“Good bread is the most fundamentally satisfying of all foods; and good bread with fresh butter, the greatest of feasts.” – James Beard



                                                  Country-Style Oatmeal Bread

I'm back in bread making mode and having a blast trying all kinds of new-to-me recipes.  I had forgotten just how much I missed making my own bread.

I had run across this recipe while strolling through the Taste of Home Recipe Board archives. We love oatmeal bread, this looked simple enough and used ingredients I already had on hand.  

I stayed pretty true to the original recipe. I did use milk for part of the warm water called for. My Mom (and her Mom) always told me that adding milk to a bread recipe gives it a nice crumb and keeps it soft. I used 1 1/4 c. warm water to dissolve the yeast, then added 1 1/4 c. milk to the flour mixture.

Since all I had was old fashioned rolled oats, that's what I used. I usually choose old fashioned oats over quick oats in bread-I like the "chew" they give.  I had to add a little more flour than called for in the original recipe. It was pretty warm and a touch humid here when I made this, so that's most likely why. The temperature in your kitchen has a lot to do with how much flour that dough is going to need.

Once the dough had risen and been punched down, I got out my kitchen scale and weighed it before dividing it in half.  That gives me a better chance of getting 2 loaves close to the same size rather than "eyeballing" it.

I like a soft top crust on bread, so I gave each loaf a light brush of melted butter over top right when they came out of the oven.

This is one VERY easy bread to mix, form and bake-and is it ever DELICIOUS. It's light, the crumb is soft but the oatmeal gives it a slight "chew". I sliced both loaves and froze the slices in packages of 4 slices each so that I can take just enough out for sandwiches or toast. We're really enjoying it.

If you love making bread and are an oatmeal bread fan, I highly recommend giving this a try-you won't be disappointed. Foodguy shared some wonderful recipes as a member of the Taste of Home community.  Sadly, he passed away a few years ago, so I'm giving a wave to heaven and sending up a big thank you to him for sharing this wonderful recipe.


Carol



COUNTRY-STYLE OATMEAL BREAD 

(Source: slightly adapted from recipe shared by foodguy on the Taste of Home Cook's Corner board-original recipe found HERE)

1 1/4 c. warm water (105-110 degrees) 
2 Tbsp. active dry yeast 
1/8 tsp. granulated sugar 
1 1/4 c. warm milk (105-110 degrees) 
4 Tbsp. butter or margarine, softened 
6 Tbsp. light brown sugar 
2 tsp. salt 
4-5 c. bread flour 
2 c. rolled oats 
1-1 1/4 Tbsp. melted butter for brushing over tops of loaves

Dissolve the yeast and 1/8 tsp. granulated sugar in the warm water. Set aside and let the mixture get "foamy". This takes about 10 minutes. 

In a large mixing bowl. whisk together 2 c. of the flour, the brown sugar and salt.  Add the yeast mixture, the milk and softened butter.  Beat on medium speed of an electric mixer for about 2 minutes.  Add the rolled oats and 1 c. flour and beat until well mixed.  Stir in enough of the remaining flour to make a soft dough.

Turn the dough out onto a floured board and knead, adding just enough of the remaining flour called for in the recipe, until the dough smooth and elastic, about 8-10 minutes.

Place the dough in a greased bowl, turning the dough to grease the top. Cover and set aside in a warm place until the dough has doubled in bulk, about 40-45 minutes.

Grease (2) 8x4-inch loaf pans.

Punch down the dough and divide it in half. Form each half into a loaf. Place the loaves in the prepared pans. Cover lightly and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 20-25 minutes.

When the dough has almost doubled, preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Uncover the loaves and bake @ 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown and the loaves sound hollow when tapped.


Immediately brush the top of each loaf lightly with melted butter. Remove from the pans and set them on a wire rack to cool completely. Makes 2 loaves.

Featured June 5th 2015 on Five Friday Finds

Featured June 8th 2015 on Cozy Little House


47 comments:

  1. Oh Boy Carol........here is another one of your recipes that I want to reach in the screen for. What a beautiful loaf of bread. I really enjoy your stories that you write explaining how you did it, and the little hints that are passed down from your grandmother and Mom. I am not a bread maker, but I do love oatmeal bread. This recipe follows the one Linda had on the other day for the oatmeal, and guess what, I am going to make that tonight to put in the fridge for tomorrow morning. I did find the cheesecake pudding mix in another store, so I am set to make. Anyway, getting back to your picture of the bread and how good it looks and sounds, you have me wishing I was as handy as you in the kitchen. I can just imagine how wonderful that bread must smell when it is baking and comes out of the oven to cool. Thanks so much for showing how it is done, tho I probably won't make this one. I will just use my imagination and pretend I am sitting with you and eating a slice of this bread.

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    1. Thanks Myra-it's one delicious bread that's for sure. Making bread is SO much fun-and not as hard as you think. Very therapeutic too....that kneading gets out a lot of frustration. :)

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  2. Isn't that true Myra? It looks s darned good, but then everything Linda and Carol make is very good and good for you. I'm the naughty one....... :) If you can't find something, let me know. chances are I can find almost anything here in LA. Thanks for the great Post ladies

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    1. Welllllllll Cyndy, I don't know how GOOD FOR YOU some of the stuff I make is....it can be pretty naughty.

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    2. Well, we are twins..... Hehehe

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  3. Carol, this loaf looks so delicious. Haven't made bread in eons but this one is really tempting me! Lets hope the Bread Gods decide to play along or I may be serving the birds my rejects! No fault of your recipe and fine tips but rather, my ineptude! Stay tuned but don't expect pictures! LOL

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    1. You can do it Angela.....I just know you can. Think POSITIVE, girl! :)

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  4. I love baking bread! I'll be adding this recipe. It looks perfect for sandwiches!

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    1. I love baking bread too Julie.....and you're right-this bread is super for sandwiches. :)

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  5. It would be wonderful if I could enjoy a good slice of Bread and Butter. It sends my sugar levels up so I stay away from it. I can almost smell it baking.

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    1. It sure does smell wonderful in the kitchen when bread is baking, Dottiemaye....nothin' like that aroma for sure. :)

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  6. Thanks for sharing at Bloggers Brags this week. I'm pinning it to our group board on Pinterest. Have a great week!

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    1. Thanks so much for the pin, Christie :)

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  7. I so love homemade bread!

    Thanks for joining the Cooking & Crafting with J & J Link Up! :)

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    1. I love it too Jess! I'm having a BLAST trying all these new bread recipes.....I need a bigger freezer to hold my experiments! :)

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  8. It looks so yummy! I love the addition of the oatmeal. Can't wait to try it. Pinned. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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    1. Thank you Jann....it's SO good.....what I love about this recipe is it will do well with quick oats too...it just won't have the "chew" that old-fashioned oats gives it. I love a recipe that is versatile and uses what I have on hand.

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  9. This bread looks delicious! I just started baking with yeast not too long ago and love it. This looks like a recipe we would really like. I'll have to try it soon!

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    1. Isn't baking with yeast fun, Carlee? It's one of my favorite things to do. I hope you enjoy this bread if you decide to give it a try. :)

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  10. I have not had great success with bread making but I keep trying! And this recipe gives me hope. Lol wish me luck��

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    1. Hi Mary....I had my share of tanks when I started out on the bread making path......but I didn't give up. It'll all come together for you, I promise! The one thing that helped me out a LOT was using a candy thermometer to test the temperature of the liquid for the yeast.....I tend to run "cold" so testing the water on my wrist isn't very accurate...the candy thermometer takes the guesswork out of it. I've been baking bread for a good 35 plus years and to this day, I STILL use a thermometer every time to test liquid temperature.

      Keep on trying...I'm rootin' for ya! :)

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  11. Ps found u on winthrop chronicles link party!

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  12. We are definitely Oatmeal fans!! :D and love making our own bread too! Can't wait to try this recipe! Thank you so much for sharing :) Happy FF!

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    1. Hi Dini...oatmeal bread is one of our favorites here too....both for sandwiches and a slice of toast in the morning. I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we did. I took the last packet out of the freezer the other day...time to make some more! :)

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    1. Thanks so much Shantel-it sure is one tasty bread. :)

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  14. You had me at oatmeal! I love making my own bread, and I love oatmeal. Haven't tried an oatmeal bread yet. I love that this recipe also doesn't require a mixer with a dough hook, since I don't have one. I'm pinning this so that I can try it in the future!

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    1. You know what Rachael? My mixer has a dough hook and I never use it. I was taught to make bread by "feel" so that's how I always do it...besides I think kneading dough is kinda theraputic....sometimes relaxing and sometimes I can work out my frustrations. :)

      Thanks so much for the pin.

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  15. Homemade Bread is my weakness and this recipe looks fantastic! Thanks so much for sharing it with us at Full Plate Thursday.
    Miz Helen

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    1. I'm with you Miz Helen...I love homemade bread too. My husband doesn't want store-bought bread any more....I think I'm gonna be busy!

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  16. What a beautiful looking loaf of bread! I adore oatmeal bread both for the flavour and the texture and your recipe sounds terrific. Pinned to my bread recipes board on Pinterest. Thank you for sharing with us at the Hearth and Soul hop.

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    1. Thanks for the pin April....I hope you and yours enjoy this bread as much as we did. It's definitely a "keeper" in my bread recipe file. :)

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  17. I always thinking bread making looks difficult however you have made it look very tempting. Thanks for sharing at #WednesdaysWisdom.

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    1. Thanks Sue-bread making is easy and FUN. I hope you give it a try. This one is a great one to start with too. I hope you enjoy it if you give it a try. :)

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  18. Nothing beats the smell of fresh baked bread. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. I couldn't agree with you more, Heather. It's a one of a kind WONDERFUL aroma.

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  19. Love fresh baked bread! Thanks for stopping by and sharing this recipe with us - you're featured this week on Five Friday Finds!

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    1. Thanks SO much for the feature CJ-I so appreciate it. :)

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  20. Thanks for sharing your recipe with us at Mommy Monday!
    XOXO

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  21. I don't think I've ever heard of oatmeal bread before, but this sure makes me want to try some....and maybe even MAKE some! Thanks so much for sharing this with us at Merry Monday! We hope you'll join us again tonight! :)

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    1. It's so good Christine.....and easy too. I hope you enjoy it if you decide to give it a go.

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  22. Your bread looks scrumptious! I have not made bread in ages and ages. I bet this bread is delicious toasted with just a little butter and jam. mmmmm

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    1. It sure is delicious toasted, Miss Merry.....nothin' better for breakfast. :)

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  23. I absolutely love this! Thanks for sharing it with us. Pinned and tweeted. I hope to see you tonight at 7 pm. We can’t wait to party with you! Lou Lou Girls

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    1. Thanks for the pin and the tweet Kimberly! See you at your party. :)

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  24. Thanks so much for the pin! See you this week at the party. :)

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