Rev: Multigrain Honey Bread (Dec. 03)

[sweetpea]

Well, I decided this would be my first recipe to try from the december issue and it was okay. The recipe makes 2 loaves and i only make 2 loaves of bread i have tried and love (because i currently have 3 loaves of bread in the freezer that i didn't like but am keeping for some reason!) But for one loaf of bread it had 4 cups of all purpose flour, 1 cup of whole wheat flour and 1 cup of regular oats along with 1/2 cup of bran flakes and 1/2 cup of wheat germ!! i made it in my bread machine and it struggled to get it all mixed up, etc. I baked the loaf in my oven and it smelled great and tastes good, but it's very dense!! It weighs a ton and seemed like it needed more yeast to help it rise up a bit more. Overall it tasted good, but i won't make it again.

[Kathy B]

Sweetpea,

I have this raising on my kitchen counter right now. Since the description of the bread said "dense", I was a little leery. I pulled out a similar recipe I have for oatmeal bread that is a tried and true favorite, and I made a few adjustments. The other recipe used a total of 5 c. of water (CL called for 4& 1/2 c.). I also added about 3 Tbsp. butter. I was pretty careful about adding the flour just until it was no longer sticky. I will let you know how it turns out.

[sweetpea]

Kathy--Yes, you were wise to add a little extra and to mix it by hand--i think the bread machine was a bad idea! :( I have my fingers crossed!

[CL Fan]

Kathy B., would you mind posting your 'tried & true' Oatmeal bread recipe? The one I have tastes good, but the texture is very 'bready'. Looking for one that would make good sandwich bread.

[Kathy B]

Well, the bread turned out pretty well, although I would have liked it to be sweeter. It IS more dense than some breads I make, but it is not TOO dense. If I make it again I will definitely increase the honey!

Here is the oatmeal bread that I compared it to. This is a recipe I use often. It makes great toast! I use it for sandwiches, too, but it may be a little soft for that. (Sometimes my sandwiches come apart! :eek: )

Oatmeal Bread
Source: More with Less cookbook

Combine in large bowl:
1 c. quick oats
1/2 c. whole wheat flour
1/2 c. brown sugar
1 Tbsp. salt
2 Tbsp. margarine

Pour over:
2 c. boiling water
Stir to combine.

Dissolve:
1 pkg dry yeast in
1/2 c. warm water

When batter is cooled to lukewarm, add yeaast.
Stir in:
5 c. white flour

When dough is stiff enough to handle, turn onto floured board and knead 5-10 min. Place in greased bowl, cover, and let rise until doubled. Punch down and let rise again. Shape into 2 loaves and place in greased 9x5" pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 min. Cool on rack, brushing loaves with margarine for a soft crust.

(I usually double the recipe and make 6 mini loaves.)

[CL Fan]

Thanks for posting!