Ingredients for - Brown Bread
How to cook deliciously - Brown Bread
1. Stage
In a large bowl, pour boiling water over the oats. Stir in the cubed butter and molasses until combined. Let the mixture stand, stirring occasionally, until it cools to 110° to 115°F. Editor's Tip: Waiting for the mixture to cool is crucial to avoid killing the yeast when you add it later.
2. Stage
In another bowl, mix 3-1/2 cups flour with the yeast and salt. Once the oat mixture has cooled to the correct temperature, add it to the flour mixture and stir until well blended. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. Editor's Tip: Gradually add the remaining flour a little at a time until a soft dough forms. You want it to be smooth but not sticky.
3. Stage
Turn the dough onto a floured surface. Knead it for six to eight minutes until smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl, turning it once to coat the top. Cover and let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about one hour.
4. Stage
Punch down the dough to release the air. Turn it onto a lightly floured surface and divide it in half. Shape each half into a loaf and place the loaves in two greased 9x5-inch loaf pans. Cover and let the loaves rise again until doubled, about 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 375°. Editor's Tip: To ensure equal loaves, use a digital kitchen scale to measure the two halves of the dough.
5. Stage
Bake the loaves for 35 to 40 minutes, or until golden brown and they sound hollow when tapped. Remove the loaves from the pans and cool on wire racks.
