Homemade Brown Bread

The Daycare Lady's Note:

This yummy bread has a light texture and includes richly flavored ingredients like molasses, brown sugar and oats. One moist slice from these lovely loaves absolutely calls for another. -Maria Costello, Monroe, North Carolina From Taste of Home 1999

• Total Time: 50 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 32

Yield: 2.0 loaves

• 1 1/2 cups boiling water
• 1 cup old fashioned oats
• 2 tablespoons shortening
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 (1/4 ounce) package active dry yeast
• 3/4 cup warm water (110 to 115 )
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 4 3/4-5 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• melted butter

Directions:

1. In a bowl, combine the first four ingredients. Cool to 110°-115°. In a bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Sprinkle with sugar. Add oat mixture, brown sugar, molasses and 3 cups flour; mix well. Add enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. turn onto a floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl; turn once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. Punch dough down. Divide in half; shape into loaves. Place in two greased 9-in. x 5-in. loaf pans. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30-45 minutes. Bake at 375° for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pans; cool on wire racks. Brush with butter. Yield: 2 loaves.