Old Fashioned Brown Bread

Ingredients

• 2 1/3 cups boiling water
• 1 cup old-fashioned oatmeal
• 1/2 cup butter, cubed
• 1/3 cup molasses
• 6 cups all-purpose flour
• 5 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 2 teaspoons salt

Directions

1. 1

   In a large bowl, pour the boiling water over oats. Stir in butter and molasses. Let stand until mixture cools to 120 - 130 degrees, stirring occasionally.

2. 2

   In another bowl, combine 3-1/2 cups of the flour, yeast and salt. Beat in oat mixture until blended. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough.Turn on to floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6 to 8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.

3. 3

   Punch dough down. Turn onto lightly floured surface; divide in half. Shape into loaves. Place in 2 greased 9' x 5" loaf pans. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes.

4. 4

   Bake at 375 for 35 to 40 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pans to wire rack to cool.