Oatmeal Molasses Bread

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup boiling water
• 1/2 cup old fashioned oats
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 cup blackstrap molasses
• 1-2 teaspoon salt
• 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1/4 cup warm water (105-115 degrees)
• 1 egg
• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

Directions

1. 1

   Grease loaf pan (8 1/2" or 9"). Mix boiling water, oats, butter, molasses, and salt in a large bowl; cool to lukewarm. Dissolve yeast in warm water. Add yeast mixture, egg, and 1 1/2 cups flour to the oat mixture. Beat for 2 minutes with an electric mixer on medium speed, scraping bowl frequently. Stir in remaining flour until completely mixed.

2. 2

   Spread batter evenly in pan (batter will be sticky - smooth and pat into shape with floured hands). Cover and let rise in warm place about 1 1/2 hours or until batter is 1 inch from top of 9-inch pan or reaches top of 8 1/2-inch pan.

3. 3

   Heat oven to 375-degrees. Bake 50 to 55 minutes or until loaf is brown and sounds hollow when tapped. (If loaf browns too quickly, cover loosely with aluminum foil during last 15 minutes of baking.) Remove from pan to wire rack; cool. For a soft, shiny crust, brush top with butter if desired.