Saturday, September 24, 2011

Light Oat Bread

It's officially Fall-so it's time to turn on the oven! My latest experiment in bread making was a Light Oat Bread. I questioned that this recipe called for such a small amount of yeast, only 1 1/2 tsp, but it had very good reviews so I thought I'd give it a try. I also liked that folks were referring to this as "sandwich bread".
Notes:
  • I added the water, yeast and sugar to the pan first and let them sit while I got everything else out.
  • Check on the dough for the first 10 minutes, it needs to be clearing the walls of the bread machine and start to look dry (not sticky). Add more flour, a very little at a time, if you need to.
  • I chose to use the bread machine for mixing and the first rise only (dough cycle), took it out at that point and flattened it into a rectangle (on floured surface) about as wide as my bread pan, rolled it up, tucked the ends under and let it rise in the bread pan until it crested the top of the pan by about 1"-approx 25 minutes. I baked it at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
  • If you don't have a bread machine it can easily be made by hand.
  • As you can see, the oats soften and disappear into the bread. I buttered the top and added some oats before baking, but truthfully, they're just falling off all over the place. I won't add them again.
  • I subbed 1/2 C whole wheat flour for this loaf and love that brown sugar is less expensive than honey.
  • I find this to be a light, airy bread. I don't think the kids (or hubby) would have any problem eating it.
  • This has replaced my half bagel as my favorite breakfast food. I cut a thick (5/8") slice, toast it and slather with peanut butter-very good! 
  • This recipe has well over 500 positive reviews, with many variations. I'm happy to have found it.
Light Oat Bread
1 1/4 C warm water
2 Tblsp margarine-I used butter
1 tsp salt
3 C A/P flour-it's ok to sub up to half with any other flour-wheat, rye, etc. keep recipe at 3 cups
1/2 C rolled oats
2 Tblsp brown sugar
1 1/2 tsp yeast
Add all to bread machine in order recommended by your machine's manufacturer. Set to regular light setting.
Have a happy day:@)