Wednesday, January 18, 2017

Honey Oatmeal Bread





Do you enjoy making bread?  Or do you avoid it because you feel it is too complicated to make?  It's very simple and I hope if you don't make bread you will give it a try.  If you have a stand mixer it is a lot easier than you think to get a wonderful loaf of bread.  I have the Kitchen Aid Professional with the bowl lift.  Of course you can also make bread by hand.  I remember seeing my Grandmother making bread with such fondness.  I truly have never been able to make bread that tastes quite like hers!  With so many of us being so busy making bread by hand can be out of the question.  A lot of the bread making business involves a lot of time where you can be doing other things.  So I hope you will give bread making a try.

I have used many different recipes over the years to find the perfect bread for my family.  Do we eat bread at every meal?  No. We do eat bread at breakfast for toast and bread for sandwiches.  When I make bread I place the finished cooled loaves in the freezer and bring out a loaf to thaw in the refrigerator for our use as needed.  I made a delicious bread today and I thought you may like to try it.  It's from the Kitchen Aid cookbook that came with my mixer.  So you may already have this recipe.







Honey Oatmeal Bread

  • 1 1/2 cups of water
  • 1/2 cup of honey
  • 1/3 cup of butter
  • 5 1/2-6 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup of quick cooking oats
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 2 packages active dry yeast
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 egg white
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • Oatmeal to sprinkle on top

Place water, honey, and butter in a small saucepan.  Heat over low heat until very warm-120 to 130 degrees.

In mixing bowl place oats, 5 cups of flour, salt and yeast.  If using a stand mixer use dough hook and turn speed to 2 and mix for 15 seconds.  With mixer still on 2 gradually add warm mixture to flour mixture and mix for 1 minute.  Add eggs and mix for 1 minute longer.

Continuing on speed 2, add remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, and mix about 2 minutes or until dough starts to clean sides of the bowl.  Knead on speed 2 about 2 minutes longer.

Place dough in a greased bowl, turning to grease top.  Cover and let rise in warm place, free from draft, about 1 hour, or until doubled.

Punch dough down and divide in half.  Shape each half into a loaf by rolling each half into a 9 by 13 inch rectangle.  Then roll your rectangle into a loaf and seal the ends.  Place in a greased 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 x 2 1/2 inch baking pans.  Cover and let rise until doubled in size about  1 hour.

Beat egg white with water to make a wash to cover the risen loaves.  Sprinkle oatmeal on top of egg wash.  Bake at 375 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes.  My loaves were ready in 30 minutes. 






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

― James Beard

















60 comments:

  1. That looks delicious! I'm tempted because I agree with Mr. Beard. Alas, I don't bake bread because I love fresh, warm bread and partake of more than my share.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Vee I rarely buy bread from the grocery. I make our bread and then it goes into the freezer for future meals. Of course, bread straight out the oven is hard to resist. ♥

      Delete
  2. just yesterday I baked dinner roll.. next bread is going to be this one.. thanks for the recipe..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Krishna, I'm glad you're going to try this bread. Let me know how you like it! ♥

      Delete
  3. Honey Oatmeal Bread...sounds delicious, Martha Ellen. I don't usually make bread cause I've always thought it takes too much time and preparation, but there's nothing quite like homemade bread. My sister used to make it at times, and she would give us a warm slice from the oven with butter. It's so nice that you made bread for your family, Martha Ellen. I'm sure they enjoyed it very much. It's nice that you have fond memories of your Grandmother making bread. :)

    ~Sheri

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sheri, there really is nothing like making bread. It's very rewarding to take simple ingredients and produce bread. My Grandmother made bread out of necessity, I make bread because I love the process. ♥

      Delete
  4. Oh, my! What delicious bread!! I have a Kitchen Aid mixer, and it has served me so very well for many years! This is a marvelous recipe! xo Nellie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nellie, the Kitchen Aid mixer certainly makes baking so easy for us. My Grandmother would have loved having such a device! xo ♥

      Delete
  5. I love baking bread! And I should probably bake a few loaves tomorrow. Those pictured look fabulous! Honey oatmeal is a good one!

    ReplyDelete
  6. What delicous looking loaves of bread; the recipe came with my KitchenAid too, and it does make a delicous bread.
    How you made me recall the days of Domestic Science in school and the lengthy topic of 'Yeast Cookery' as it was called! Then, later, the early years of my marriage baking bread twice a week in small batches, for I did not own a freezer. With my Oster food centre and a freezer bread making became a doddle. Now, it is Emily and me in the kitchen {Emily is my KitchenAid} just 'as and when' for I eat very little bread these days.
    One of the things I love about recipes is tweaking them when you haven't got all the listed ingredients. I've substituted all sorts of flours, I love Spelt flour, used molases instead of honey, olive oil instead of butter, and oat bran or wheatgerm instead of oats. Each one is very good.
    Baking bread is great fun indeed, with the help of our KitchenAids!
    ~~~Deb xoxo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Deb, I love "Yeast Cookery" as you say! What a neat way to refer to the baking of bread! I had Home Economics back in the day, but I don't recall making yeast breads in that class, just quick breads. Once we get the basic science of making yeast bread the options are many for adding different ingredients. I love that you have named your Kitchen Aid... I'm sure Emily and you have enjoyed many happy baking moments! xoxo ♥

      Delete
  7. Thanks for sharing this recipe! I've always wanted to make homemade bread! This bread looks so delicious!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Pilar, it's so rewarding to make bread. It's a simple pleasure. Give it a try. ♥

      Delete
  8. Oh my! Your honey oatmeal bread looks delicious! I have made my own bread only a few times in my life. I should really give it a go more often. I know my husband and girls would appreciate it. Thank you for sharing the recipe here! xo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rosinda, there is nothing like homemade bread. I'm sure you would excel at the process. You are a natural in the kitchen. Have a great day! xo ♥

      Delete
  9. I haven't made homemade bread in too long. This looks and sounds delicious. My grandmother made potato bread until she couldn't do it any longer. The quote by James Beard hits home with me!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Liz, as many loaves of bread that have been made in my kitchen, I've never made potato bread! It's fun to try new recipes and I'm sure it would be delicious. What a nice memory of your grandmother. Have a nice day. ♥

      Delete
  10. Your Honey Oatmeal Bread looks so delicious, Martha Ellen! I can only imagine the wonderful scents drifting through your home on bread making day. It must make heavenly toast and sandwiches. Although I am not a bread baker, we enjoy receiving gifts of homemade bread from family and friends. Winter days seem just perfect for baking bread! Warmest hugs! ♡

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Dawn, bread making is such a simple thing that brings joy to me and my family. I do wish we could enjoy a slice together with tea. Bread made by friends is a wonderful gift. I do hope you are staying warm and cozy in your paper garden creating your beautiful cards. Have a wonderful day! ♥

      Delete
  11. Lovely loaves, Martha Ellen! My Cuisinart stand mixer does a beautiful job with bread dough, but I rarely use it for bread because I lovelovelove kneading dough by hand. Something about it is just soooo therapeutic!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is a therapeutic exercise, Jean! When I have the time I enjoy kneading very much. Every time I do, I think of my Grandmother. ♥

      Delete
  12. I used to make all our bread but don't as much as it's just the two of us now. I have enjoyed baking bread with the grands, and teaching our mentee girls how to bake it. I don't have a kitchen aid so do it all by hand and find it "therapeutic." Especially the kneading. :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I feel that bread making is a dying art, Dotsie. It's wonderful that you share your talents. ♥

      Delete
  13. Ha Ha! I just read the comment above mine and see I'm not alone!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I've always loved making homemade yeast breads. I got a Kitchen Aid mixer years and years ago and learned to make bread with the dough hook to knead it. Yours looks amazing! And it's always nice to have enough to freeze some for later on. Hugs, Diane

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's nice to have an aid for making bread, Diane. Winter is a great time to spend in the kitchen creating magic with very few ingredients. Enjoy your evening. ♥

      Delete
  15. Sounds and looks wonderful. But yes, I have always felt it was more than I wanted to take on in making bread. I have never done it. My brother on the other had has and he did a great job. I will share this with him. Thanks for coming by my blog and leaving such a nice comment.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Pam I love hearing that a man likes to make bread. Many men in my family are great cooks, but I don't think any of them have made bread! Have a nice evening. ♥

      Delete
  16. This bread looks wonderful! I can almost smell it from here.
    Thanks for sharing the recipe.
    Lisa

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Lisa. It's a wonderful recipe that I hope you will try. Have a nice day. ♥

      Delete
  17. Your bread has come out well! Yummy!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Mmmmmm!!!! Looks so very wholesome and yummy !!
    XXX OOO Linnie

    ReplyDelete
  19. Good evening, lovely lady! My, this bread looks delicious! How I would love a slice right now with just a touch of butter {{smiles}}

    Thank you for the lovely visit to my blog yesterday - your comment was so sweet and a joy to read.

    Have a beautiful Sunday! Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Stephanie I would love to share a slice with you. Thank you for stopping by. ♥

      Delete
  20. Bread is one of my favorite foods. Nothing like hot break out of the oven. Thank you for this recipe. It looks delicious!
    Thank you also for coming over for a visit and leaving such a kind note.
    blessings,
    Penny

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Penny this is a great recipe. You are so right, it's wonderful as it comes out of the oven. Have a wonderful week. ♥

      Delete
  21. I bet your kitchen smells wonderful when making and baking that bread ...

    All the best Jan

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The baking of bread is a fragrance like no other. Have a great week, Jan. ♥

      Delete
  22. Martha Ellen, your comments gladden my heart so. Thank you, my dear. :)

    ~Sheri

    ReplyDelete
  23. Martha Ellen, you have me drooling over here! I believe I can smell the intoxicating aroma of freshly baked bread. I used to make bread quite often, but I have gotten out of the habit. You are making me want to resume bread-making!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cheryl, I hope you will. Bread making is especially great in the winter! ♥

      Delete
  24. OOO, mercy me...your bread is beautiful..I love homemade bread so much..guess most people do. I've made it over the years but not in a long time...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, BJ. I love making bread, but especially in the winter. ♥

      Delete
  25. Martha, I just know that you are a wonderful cook and baker. Some people have that skill. I am not one of them. I used to bake bread and can food when my children were little, but it just doesn't seem to appeal to me any more. But the smell of freshly baked bread... oh my gosh, there is no more delicious a scent in the kitchen. Your husband must adore you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Jeri! I'm really just a homebody that loves everything about homemaking. You my friend have talents that amaze me. Have a wonderful evening. ♥

      Delete
  26. I've been hankering after a loaf of home made bread and, Martha Ellen, your recipe looks a treat! We're supposed to get half dozen inches of snow so tomorrow seems to be a good bread baking day...thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sandra you will really enjoy this bread if you give it a try. Stay safe and warm. ♥

      Delete
  27. I've made bread on and off over the years and absolutely love it. Part of my problem is I keep slicing and eating it more than I should...lol Your recipe sounds delicious and I'm so tempted to make it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is tempting to eat, Pat. This recipe makes two loaves, so I always put one in the freezer. Have a great weekend. ♥

      Delete
  28. This bread is perfect! I can just imagine a grilled cheese on this cold and rainy day on this bread. Thank you for a new recipe, XOXO

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susan this bread makes wonderful grilled cheese sandwiches. Have a great day. XOXO ♥

      Delete
    2. I baked the loaves yesterday and my hubby couldn't give enough compliments. Thank you for this wonderful recipe!!

      Delete
    3. I'm so glad you tried this recipe Susan. Have a great weekend. ♥

      Delete
  29. I told you I will try this bread.. but I yet to do it.. next bread will this one.. I promise... :)

    ReplyDelete
  30. The bread looks so good. I may just have to try it.
    Blessings,
    Audrey Z.

    ReplyDelete

Your comments will show after moderation. Thank you. ♥