Old-Fashioned Brown Bread

Name: Old-Fashioned Brown Bread
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 2 loaves (16 slices each).
Ingredients: 2-1/3 cups boiling water; 1 cup old-fashioned oats; 1/2 cup butter, cubed; 1/3 cup molasses; 5-1/2 to 6-1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 5 teaspoons active dry yeast; 2 teaspoons salt

This chewy, old-fashioned bread boasts a slightly sweet flavor that will transport you back to the old days. —Patricia Donnelly, Kings Landing, New Brunswick

Ingredients

2-1/3 cups boiling water
1 cup old-fashioned oats
1/2 cup butter, cubed
1/3 cup molasses
5-1/2 to 6-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
5 teaspoons active dry yeast
2 teaspoons salt

Directions

In a large bowl, pour boiling water over oats. Stir in butter and molasses. Let stand until mixture cools to 120°-130°, stirring occasionally.
In another bowl, combine 3-1/2 cups flour, yeast and salt. Beat in oat mixture until blended. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough.
Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide in half. Shape into loaves. Place in two greased 9x5-in. loaf pans. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, preheat oven to 375°. Bake 35-40 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool.

Nutrition Facts

1 slice: 124 calories, 3g fat (2g saturated fat), 8mg cholesterol, 170mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 starch.

Originally published as Brown Bread in Taste of Home October/November 2009

Reviews

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Average Rating:

Margaret

May 25, 2017

I HAD TWO BROWN BREAD RECIPES PRINTED. I DECIDED ON THIS ONE FOR TWO REASONS; ITS MORE NATURAL AND I'VE BEEN TO KINGS LANDING (GREAT PLACE). I ONLY MADE TWO CHANGES: I USED BREAD FLOUR AND AFTER I PUT THE BREAD IN THE PANS I TOOK A FORK AND PUNCHED HOLES ALL OVER THEM, THAT GETS RID OF THE AIR BUBBLES AND GIVES IT A BETTER TEXTURE. I WILL MAKE AGAIN.
ebramkamp

Jul 28, 2016

One of my favorite breads. The molasses add just the right amount of sweetness plus a beautiful color.
angela32

Jul 8, 2016

Love this bread! The molasses gives it a great flavor....will make again!
tamarapearson

Jan 31, 2016

This bread is incredibly moist with the perfect subtle sweetness. Love!
rwippel

May 24, 2015

This bread was very good with a subtle sweetness. However, I feel like all the dough would have fit into a 2 quart round dish. And I could have baked it all together.
grandmaabbott

Apr 7, 2015

This bread was pretty good, but I would make a few changes in the recipe. I would only use 2 cups water. It required about 7 1/2 cups of flour and then it was still very sticky. I would increase the molasses to 1/2 cup. My bread wasn't nearly as dark as in the photo. I would decrease yeast to 4 tsp. mine raised in 40 mins it was ready to run over the top of the pan. I also made rolls instead of bread. They were extremely light and fluffy. They went over very well with my guests. Will definitely make again.
rosie1963

Apr 23, 2013

This bread turns out perfect every time I make it. It is amazing and I have made and recommended it several times to friends and family. i add a scant 1/2 c cracked wheat to the oatmeal and boiling water. It is so delicious! You cannot eat just one piece!
thebabyjane

Apr 21, 2013

I can't find my mother's brown bread recipe, but this come amazingly close and was pretty easy to make. I tried another brown bread recipe on another site that wouldn't even rise.... might have been my fault. I made this and shared with a friend and her husband and it was described as delicious.
kelticbaker

Oct 4, 2011

Having grown up not too far from Kings Landing, I was eager to try this bread recipe. Most family recipes made multiple loaves...which didn't suit our needs. This was FABULOUS, I would absolutely make it again and it would fit a novice baker as well as more advanced. So easy in fact I could make this weekly and it not be a chore! The flavour was unbelieveable and it met all expectations (based on a tough crowd of bread and bean eaters!) 5 stars all the way!
Reesa6

Sep 8, 2011

Wonderful loaves. Slightly sweet, soft, lasted a while.I had to add maybe another cup of flour for the kneading process during the first rise and the shaping.It smelled wonderful while baking, cooled well. I'm about to make it a second time, right now!