Kate's Oatmeal Bread

I am asked often for the recipe for my Oatmeal Bread.  I have been making this bread for about 20 years.  I always make enough for 4 loaves.  One of the loaves I will make into monkey bread for a treat.  This recipe is easily cut into half, but then it would be gone to fast.

         Oatmeal Bread

1 cup warm water
4 T yeast                                            
1.5 cup water    
1.5 cup old fashion rolled oats                                                   
 1 t baking soda
 2 T salt
1 cup honey (sugar works well also)
2 cups buttermilk                                                  
2/3 cup oil
11 cups flour (white and wheat work well together)


Start by softening yeast in warm water add 1 t sugar to help it brew.
Heat 1.5 cups water to boil and stir in 1.5 cups oats.  Stir constantly for 3 minutes.  Take off heat and stir in the buttermilk and oil then stir.  In mixer measure 4 cups of flour, salt, and baking soda and mix together.  Add oatmeal/buttermilk mixture and yeast mixture into the flour mixture.  Add sugar or honey and then stir for 2 minutes.  Add remaining flour and knead for 6-8 minutes.  Remove from mixture and form a ball.  Place in large bowl to rise for 1.5 to 2 hours.  Form equal loaves  and place in pans.  Let dough rise for 45 minutes or until double.  Heat oven to 375 degrees.  Bake for 40 minutes.

This is amazing bread.  Hope you enjoy it as much as we have....Kate