Maple Oatmeal Bread

• Ready In: 2 hrs 5 mins
• Serves: 2
• Yields: 2 loaves

Ingredients

• 1  cup rolled oats
• 2  teaspoons salt
• 3  tablespoons butter, cut into bits
• 2  cups whole wheat flour
• 1  cup boiling water
• 1  tablespoon quick-rising yeast
• 1  cup milk, Scalded
• 1  egg, beaten
• 1⁄3 cup maple syrup
• 2  cups all-purpose flour

Directions

1. in a large mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats and butter.
2. Pour boiling water over and stir until butter melts.
3. Add scalded milk, maple syrup and salt.
4. Let mixture cool slightly until warm to the touch (if using a thermometer, temperature should read 125 - 130 degrees).
5. Stir in whole-wheat flour, yeast and egg; beat vigorously with a wooden spoon until smooth.
6. Stir in enough all-purpose flour to make a stiff dough.
7. Turn out on floured board and knead, sprinkling surface with additional flour to prevent dough from sticking, until smooth and elastic, about 8 - 10 minutes.
8. Shape into a ball and place a lightly buttered bowl; turn to coat dough on all sides with butter.
9. Cover with a clean dry towel and let rise for 30 minutes.
10. Punch down dough and divide in half.
11. Shape into loaves and place in 2 greased 8 1/2 by 4 1/2 inch loaf pans.
12. Brush tops of loaves with melted butter.
13. Cover and let rise in a warm place until double in bulk -- about 35 - 45 minutes.
14. Bake in an oven preheated to 375 degrees for 35 - 40 minutes or until done.
15. Turn loaves out of pans and let cool on racks.