Oatmeal Molasses Bread

Total Time: 2 hrs 35 mins Preparation Time: 2 hrs Cook Time: 35 mins

Ingredients

• 1 cup warm water
• 2 (1/4 ounce) packages dry yeast
• 1 cup milk
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 1 cup quick-cooking oats
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 6 cups bread flour

Recipe

• 1 measure the water into a large mixing bowl. sprinkle on the yeast and stir to dissolve. blend in milk and molasses. add the oats, melted butter, salt and beaten egg. blend thoroughly.
• 2 add 2 cups of flour and beat with a wooden spoon until smooth. gradually blend in additional flour until the dough becomes too difficult to stir. turn out onto a floured surface and knead in as much of the remaining flour as necessary to form a cohesive dough.
• 3 continue kneading in flour until the dough is soft yet no longer sticks to the work surface. transfer to a greased bowl and cover witha clean kitchen towel. allow the dough to rise until double in bulk.
• 4 generously grease a baking sheet. punch the dough down, then turn it out onto a floured surface. shape it into 2 round loaves and place them on the prepared sheet. cover and set aside to rise.
• 5 when doubled in bulk, ake in preheated 375* oven for 35 to 45 minutes, or until the loaves sound hollow when you tap the tops. remove from the sheet and transfer to a rack to cool.