Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Oatmeal in My Bread

artsy-foodie bread

I bake bread about every other day. I like to keep things interesting which means I experiment a lot. I have to admit that some days I do better than others. However, no matter how the recipe turns out, my home always smells great when a loaf is baking in the oven. I find that to be very therapeutic and soothing.

Oatmeal bread closer

I use to buy my children's bread but then I realized that they always asked to eat my homemade gluten-free bread instead. I finally stopped buying it. It does mean that I bake more often but I feel good about the trade-off. The smell of warm bread immediately attracts them to the kitchen, a central place in our home. In a way, bread binds our family together.

I often start my bread in the breadmachine and then it bakes in the oven. I like this process better. The bread bakes evenly and the slices don't have the unfortunate indentations caused by the paddles.

This Oatmeal Bread has a nice earthy flavor and the texture is sturdy but not overly so. It's wonderful straight out of the oven or toasted the next day.

Oatmeal bread slice

Gluten Free Oatmeal Bread (makes one loaf)
If you are not concerned about gluten or wheat, you can omit the xantham gum and use 1 cup all-purpose, plus 2 cups whole-wheat white flour instead of the GF flour.


1 1/2 cups soymilk
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon agave nectar
1/2 tablespoon apple-cider vinegar
1 cup GF rolled oats
3 cups All Purpose GF flour mix (such as Bob's Red Mill All Purpose Mix)
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
3 teaspoons xantham gum
1 tablespoon yeast


optional topping:
egg wash: 1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon of water
GF rolled oats

Method# 1:
Put the ingredients in your breadmachine according to your manifacturer's instructions. Use the basic dough cycle. Remove when done and transfer to pre-oiled loaf pan. Cover with a clean towel and let rise again (at least 20 minutes). Preheat oven to 375F. Paint the egg wash on the top of the bread. Sprinkle some rolled oats and bake for 45-50 minutes. The bread should be nice and golden and sound hollow when bottom is tapped. Let cool slightly before slicing.

Method# 2:
In a small bowl mix the soymilk, agave nectar and yeast. Let stand for 10 minutes or until bubbly. Add oil, vinegar to yeast mixture and mix well.
In the bowl of a mixer mix together the oats, flour, xantham, and salt. Add the liquid mixture little by little while mixing until well combined. Transfer to an oiled bowl, cover and let rise until almost doubled in size. Transfer to a pre-oiled loaf pan and let rise for at least 20 minutes. Preheat oven to 375F. Paint the egg wash on top of the bread and sprinkle the rolled oats. Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes. The bread should be nice and golden and sound hollow when bottom is tapped. Let cool slightly before slicing.

Oatmeal bread

Artsy-Foodie's Tip:
If you are not going to use the GF bread the same day you bake it, cut some slices and freeze them. As it ages, gluten free bread tends to get crumbly. Freezing it ensures that the texture will be perfect every time you warm up a slice.






Another tasty bread recipe:
Almost Challah

16 comments:

Mary Ann said...

This looks very good. I have been wanting to start baking my own bread lately and this might just be the kick start that I need. Thanks for the inspiration!

Robin said...

The oats sprinkled on top look beautiful. Love the last picture. It is bread baking time, it is getting cooler here. Impossible to bake in the summer here, just too hot! Can't wait for those lovely aromas.

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

I too find baking to be very therapeutic and soothing - I wish I had more time to do it these days!!

Gluten-free oatmeal bread = PURE BLISS!!!!

Dewi said...

Gluten-free bread, this is the one that I never tried to make. I should probably try it!

maybelle's mom said...

I really need to start making more bread. Looks great.

CECIL said...

Love freshly baked bread smell in the house! But I have some unexplainable fear about bread baking. One day I will. In mean time, I will just have to enjoy all these bread baking posts. :)

Clumbsy Cookie said...

That's a great looking bread! I love baking bread at home as well, but I don't think I ever made an oat one. Thanks for the tip on freezing GF bread!

RecipeGirl said...

I'll bet your home smells wonderful all of the time! I wish I did this more often. I've only made bread a couple of times... both times to rave reviews from the household. It's really so much better than store bought. Perhaps you'll inspire me to get going on this again! The oatmeal bread looks lovely.

rachel said...

Your house must be a wonderful place to be. There is nothing better than the smell (and taste) of freshly baked bread. I'm swooning just thinking about it

Anonymous said...

I really love oatmeal bread, but never thought to try it gluten free.. Maybe I'll use your recipe next time!

Alexa said...

Mary Ann,
I think you should bake bread, if only because that pear butter needs a bread worthy of its yumminess. :-)

Robin Sue,
I have to say that with all the clouds and rain we get baking bread feels just right.

Veggiegirl,
I hope you have more time to bake soon. :-)

Elra,
It is a little bit different than gluten bread but you wouldn't have any problem with it.

Maybelle's mom,
It is so worth the effort. I love it.

Cecil,
It won't be intimidating once you take the leap. You just have to find a reliable source: either someone to show the ropes or a good book.

Clumbsy Cookie,
I am glad you found the tip useful.


Recipe Girl,
My house smells like fresh baked oatmeal bread and yours like fresh pumpkin cornbread. I think we are both lucky bakers!

Rachel,
Sharing it with others makes it perfect. Doesn't it?

Hannah,
If you try it let me know what you think. :-)

Sophie said...

I just randomly stumbled upon your blog and I'm so glad I did! I have been having trouble making 'the perfect loaf' ever since I started this gluten-free diet, so I'll have fun looking through your bread recipes :). Very cute blog, by the way, I'll definitely be back :).

Dee said...

Oh your bread looks lovely! I love the way bread turns houses into homes :)

Deborah said...

I love the smell of freshly baked bread - and this bread looks delicious!!

Alexa said...

Sophie,
I am so glad you found my blog and that you enjoyed your visit. The gluten-free journey can be a wonderful thing. Thanks for your comment!

Dee,
Well said, that is so true!

Deborah,
Thank you for your kind words.

Fifi Flowers said...

Making ones own bread to me is amazing... I sooooo do not bake... but if I did... I would grab this recipe and pray it looked as pretty as yours!

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