Old-Fashioned Oat Bread

Total Time

Prep: 25 min. + rising Bake: 35 min.

Makes

2 loaves (16 pieces each)

Updated: Jun. 15, 2023
When this old-fashioned oat bread is baking, it reminds me of childhood and the warm, inviting aromas that greeted me after school. The light sweet flavor, crispy crust and hearty texture of this bread made for a special treat when Mom baked it for us. —Gloria Murtha, West Mifflin, Pennsylvania
Old-Fashioned Oat Bread Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Ingredients

  • 1 can (12 ounces) evaporated milk
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 2 tablespoons shortening
  • 2 cups plus 2 teaspoons old-fashioned oats, divided
  • 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast
  • 1 cup warm water (110° to 115°)
  • 5 to 5-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 large egg, beaten

Directions

  1. In a saucepan over medium heat, bring milk, water and shortening to a boil. Meanwhile, combine 2 cups oats, brown sugar and salt in a bowl. Add milk mixture; let stand until mixture reaches 110°-115°. In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water; add to oat mixture. Add 3 cups flour; beat until smooth. Add enough remaining flour to form a soft dough.
  2. Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning 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 2 loaves; transfer to greased 8x4-in. loaf pans. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 40 minutes. Preheat oven to 350°.
  3. Brush loaves with egg; sprinkle with remaining 2 teaspoons oats. Bake until golden, 35-40 minutes. Remove from pans; cool on wire racks.
Can you use a dough hook in a stand mixer to knead the dough? This delicious bread can easily be made in a mixer with a dough hook. Add oats, brown sugar, salt, and milk mixture directly to your mixing bowl; follow up by adding the proofed yeast/water mixture and flour as directed. Let the mixer combine and knead the ingredients. (You will likely want to dump the dough out onto a floured surface and knead by hand for a few minutes as well, so you get a good feel for the desired smoothness and elasticity.) What can you spread on old-fashioned oat bread? This oatmeal yeast bread is delicious with a simple drizzle of honey or a pat of butter (especially when warm), but you can also top this bread with jam (https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/raspberry-peach-jam/), a tart citrus marmalade (https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/mixed-citrus-marmalade/ ), honey cinnamon butter (https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/honey-cinnamon-butter/), or, indeed, any flavored butter (https://www.tasteofhome.com/collection/homemade-butter-recipes-for-bread/) you so desire! How do you store old-fashioned oat bread? You put a lot of work into making that homemade bread, so make sure you store it wisely. We offer our homemade bread storage tips here (https://www.tasteofhome.com/collection/homemade-butter-recipes-for-bread/).

Nutrition Facts

1 piece: 123 calories, 2g fat (1g saturated fat), 10mg cholesterol, 125mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.