Dig Out Those Old Bread Machines!

 

I enjoy baking bread almost as much as I enjoy eating it. There is nothing quite like the smell that fills the house during baking nor the urge to cut into the loaf just as it comes out of the oven. I think my parents gave us our bread machine years ago and I would mix up a loaf before bed, using the timer to postpone the process so that we would wake to hot baked bread in the morning.  Some loaves would be tall and airy and others would be short and heavy...but all would be square. Over the years I got out of the habit of using it. This summer when Annie, Kent and Brooke were visiting I got out the machine and Annie found the recipe she uses. (My mom has continued to use her bread machine only to mix the dough, forming the loaf by hand and baking it in the oven with great success ~ Annie uses the same method). It was a snap. I have been experimenting with the recipe adding molasses, whole wheat flour, and stone cut oats. This is a moist loaf that is wonderful with Grandma Koke's homemade jelly. The leftovers get sliced and frozen for toast or sandwiches.

 

Light Oat Bread
1 1/4 cups water
1/2 cup rolled oats
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons dry yeast
3 cups flour
Add to bread machine pan. Use dough setting. Form loaf. Rise in greased pan about 30 minutes. Bake 350 degrees for 25 minutes.