Description
This Honey-Cinnamon Oatmeal Bread is a delightful homemade loaf combining the wholesome texture of oats with the warm flavors of honey and cinnamon. Perfect for breakfast or a cozy snack, this bread features a soft crumb with a slightly sweet, aromatic crust, achieved through a classic yeast bread baking method.
Ingredients
Scale
Oat Soaking Mixture
- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 ½ cups boiling water
Yeast Mixture
- 2 ¼ tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast
- 1 tbsp honey
- ½ cup warm water (about 110°F/45°C)
Dough Ingredients
- 1/3 cup honey
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 ½ tsp salt
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
For Finishing
- Additional melted butter for brushing
- Cinnamon and sugar for topping (optional)
Instructions
- Soak Oats: In a large bowl, pour the boiling water over the rolled oats. Let it stand for about 10 minutes until the oats soften.
- Activate Yeast: While the oats are soaking, dissolve the active dry yeast and 1 tablespoon of honey in the warm water. Let it sit until it’s foamy, about 5 to 10 minutes.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: Once the oat mixture has cooled slightly, add the yeast mixture, 1/3 cup of honey, melted butter, ground cinnamon, and salt. Mix until well combined.
- Add Flour: Gradually add flour, one cup at a time, mixing well after each addition until a dough forms.
- Knead Dough: Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- First Rise: Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 to 1 ½ hours.
- Shape Loaves: Punch down the dough and divide it in half. Shape each half into a loaf and place in two greased 9×5 inch loaf pans.
- Second Rise: Cover the loaves with the towel again and let them rise until the dough reaches about 1 inch above the pans, approximately 45-60 minutes.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Prepare for Baking: If desired, brush the tops of the risen loaves with melted butter and sprinkle with a mixture of cinnamon and sugar.
- Bake: Bake the loaves in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
- Cool: Allow the bread to cool on a wire rack before slicing.
Notes
- Make sure the warm water for the yeast is not too hot, or it may kill the yeast.
- Letting the dough rise in a warm, draft-free spot helps achieve a good rise.
- For extra flavor, you can add nuts or raisins to the dough during mixing.
- Store bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or freeze for longer storage.
- Brushing the loaves with melted butter right after baking can enhance the crust’s softness and flavor.