Sunday Treats - Honey Oat Bread

I've said it before but Sunday really is a great day for making bread; it's relaxing, stress relieving and smells heavenly. Treat yourself to Sunday!

Homemade bread can sometimes taste a bit like 'homemade bread'; a taste some people love (me included), but I get it, sometimes you just want some indulgent, sweet, store bought white bread. This Honey Oat Bread is my version of just that - but without all of the unnatural sugars, preservatives and chemicals.

Time Saver: Try using a break maker for this recipe instead for a full proof way to achieve great results. Plus you can start it off and then leave it whilst you get on with your other Sunday jobs, whilst enjoying the smell of freshly baked bread. Follow your owner's manual, but if you've lost it - add warmed liquid ingredients first, leaving the yeast until last. Don't forget to add the warmed honey and sprinkling of oats once the dough has risen in your machine (about 1 hour before end of cycle).

Ingredients:
530g white bread flour
80g rolled oats uncooked
250ml milk
125ml water
3tbsp butter
100g honey
1.5tsp salt
7g dried yeast

For topping
2tbsp honey
2tbsp oats

Serving: 1 medium size loaf or 8 rolls

Method:

1) Gently heat milk, water, butter and honey - then pour into a large mixing bowl

2) Add all of the dry ingredients in to the bowl, omitting half the flour, and stir to combine all ingredients. Leave for 5 minutes, or until mixture begins to look spongey... That's the yeast doing its thing.

3) Gradually stir in the rest of the flour. Time to get messy - get your hands in the bowl, making sure all ingredients are well mixed.

4) The mixture will probably be a little sticky - this is perfect. Lightly flour your work surface and knead the dough. Knead knead knead for at least 10 minutes. If it's still sticky after this, add a little more flour and water if it's too stiff.

5) Put in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a clean tea towel and leave in a warm place for 1- 1.5 hours, until dough has doubled in size. TIP: On top of a boiler is great for this, or in an airing cupboard.

TIP: Now get on with your daily jobs and start looking forward to some lovely lunch time sandwiches with home made bread!

6) Knock back (punch the air out). Then place on a lightly floured surface and roll into a rectangle the width of your loaf tin. It should be about 1cm thick. Roll up the dough tightly and place in lightly oiled loaf tin. Cover, and leave in a warm place for 1-1.5hr, until dough has doubled in size.

TIP: Time for some more chores. What a productive morning you're having!

7) Preheat your oven to 190degrees (170degrees fan). Gently warm the honey for the topping, and pour over the top of the loaf. Sprinkle with the topping oats.

8) Cook for 45minutes until beautifully golden. Take out of oven, leave to cool for 10 minutes then turn out onto a wire rack. YUM!!!

9) Enjoy your home made, just sweet enough, touch of 'store bought' loaf of bread. If you've got any suggestions, please let me know!

TIP: Why not try making some rolls instead of a loaf. After the first rising period, break up into small balls and place on a greased baking tray. Cover and keep in a warm place for 1hour. Then cook in a preheated oven (170degrees fan) for 30-40minutes. Mmm rolls with soup for work :)

Sunday love x x x