Oatmeal Wheat Bread

Home made bread smells delicious baking in your oven.  Besides, many commercially made breads have allergens and are full of preservatives.  Have you ever noticed how long it takes for them to go bad?  There is a great bakery in our state that makes fresh breads that does not use nuts.  But, is costs almost $5.00 per loaf!  When I have time I make fresh bread for my family and make croutons with the leftover slices.

Ingredients
1 cup very warm water
2 1/4 tsp active yeast
2 cups bread flour (all purpose will still work)
3/4 cup wheat flour
1/2 cup oats
2 tbs brown sugar
2 tbs wheat germ
2 tbs melted soybutter

1 tbs canola oil for rolling out dough

Measure the warm water and add the yeast.  Stir gently and let rest for 5 to 10 minutes.  Set up your food processor with the dough blade.  Measure the dry ingredients and pour into the food processor bowl.  Process until blended.  Pour the yeast and water mixture through the top while running the processor. Open the top and add the melted soybutter.  Process again until a smooth dough forms.  Run for one additional minute.

Turn dough into a greased bowl and cover with a towel.  Let it rise in a warm place free from drafts for 45 to 60 minutes or until doubled in size.  The dough will be ready when an indentation remains.  Turn the dough onto an oiled board.  Gently turn the dough ball to oil it an all sides.  Flatten the dough with the heel of your hand into a rectangular shape.  Roll dough up tightly into a loaf shape starting from a short side and pinching it together as you roll.  Place the dough in a loaf pan and cover again.  Let it rise in a warm place for another 45 minutes or until it is at least 1 to 1 1/2 inches over the rim of the pan.

Bake at 375 degrees for 35 minutes.  Cool for 15 minutes and turn out of pan.  Cool completely before storing in an airtight container or plastic bag.

**  I have made this recipe using my bread machine, but I used the machine so much that the mixing pan wore out.  If you want to make it in your bread maching, just follow the manufacturer's instructions for adding ingredients.  You can select the dough cycle and bake the bread in a pan in your oven or make the whole thing in your machine.