Oatmeal Rye Bread

Total Time: 3 hrs 20 mins Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 3 hrs

Ingredients

• 2 (1/4 ounce) packages yeast
• 3 cups warm water
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 2 cups flour
• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 2 cups dark rye flour
• 2 cups rolled oats
• flour (as needed)

Recipe

• 1 stir the yeast into warm water in a large bowl, add molasses and stir till dissolved.
• 2 add the flour and the whole wheat flour, about 1 cup at a time, stirring well after each addition.
• 3 when all four cups of flour are stirred in, beat the mixture with a wooden spoon for about 10 minutes. it should be smooth and very soft.
• 4 cover bowl with a towel and put in a warm place for 45 minutes.
• 5 the yeast sponge should rise considerably and be rather bubbly at the end of this time.
• 6 now sprinkle salt over the sponge and fold together.
• 7 add the rye flour and the oats, a little at a time and fold them together. the dough should be quite thick.
• 8 add enough flour to make the dough manageable and turn onto a floured board, and knead for about 20 minutes till smooth and elastic.
• 9 cover and let rise till doubled.
• 10 punch down and divide into two parts, forming each into a loaf. put into buttered medium loaf pans and let rise till doubled.
• 11 bake at 350°f for 40-60 minutes (depends on your oven and how crusty you like your bread - my loaves were just right at about 40-45 minutes. i brushed the loaves with butter after baking to soften the crust).