Oatmeal Bread

Each loaf contains 1013 calories (cut into 16 slices, each slice contains 63 calories)

* * RECIPE FOR THREE LOAVES * * 

Oatmeal Mixture

• 400 grams water
• 120 grams 6-grain oats OR old fashioned oatmeal
• 120 grams whole wheat flour
• 1 1/2 tbsp butter OR olive oil
• 1 tbsp salt

Yeast Mixture

• 150 grams warm water (100-110 degrees)
• 2 tbsp rapid rise yeast
• 2 tbsp sugar

Other

• 600 grams bread flour
• cooking spray (oil in a mister bottle)

* * INSTRUCTIONS * * 

1. Oatmeal Mixture: In a large microwave safe bowl, combine water, oats, whole wheat flour, butter, and salt. Microwave on high for 1 minute then stir. Set aside and allow to cool to room temperature

2. Yeast Mixture: In a medium mixing bowl, combine water, yeast, and sugar. Whisk together and allow to sit until frothy (about 10 minutes).

3. Once oatmeal mixture has cooled, stir in bread flour then pour in yeast mixture. Adding the yeast mixture to the oat mixture before it has completely cooled will kill your yeast and will prevent the dough from rising. Mix until combined then turn over onto your counter and knead for 10 minutes, spraying with a little cooking spray when the dough becomes sticky.

4. Return dough to mixing bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour.

5. After 1 hour has passed, transfer dough back onto your counter and knead for one additional minute. Form into a loaf-shape (or 3 equal loaves, each weighing approximately 500 grams) and place into a greased loaf pan or pans (I recommend silicone bread pans as they never require greasing and the bread always comes out easily). Cover with a clean kitchen towel and set a timer for 30 minutes. 

6. After 30 minutes, check your dough to see if the center has risen 1" above the rim of the loaf pan (bend down to get eye-level with the top of the pan). As soon as the dough has risen to this point, start preheating your oven to 400 degrees. If after 30 minutes your dough isn't ready, set a timer to check on the dough every 5 minutes. It is important not to let your dough over-rise as this will cause the bread to collapse while baking. As soon as your oven has preheated, carefully put the bread in the oven and bake for 30 minutes.

7. Allow to cool completely before slicing (at least 2 hours). Sliced bread freezes beautifully in an air tight bag. 

TROUBLESHOOTING

• Dough didn't rise: This is either because you didn't knead the dough long enough, you used expired yeast, or because you killed the yeast either by using water that was too warm or by adding it to the oatmeal mixture before it has completely cooled
• Bread fell during baking: This happens when the dough is allowed to over-rise before baking (when the dough is in the loaf pan).