Rolled Oats Bread is a delightful and nutritious variation of traditional bread recipes that incorporates the wholesome goodness of rolled oats. This unique bread offers a heartier texture and a distinct flavor profile due to the inclusion of rolled oats, making it a favorite among those who enjoy both the health benefits and the satisfying taste of oats. The process of creating Rolled Oats Bread involves a combination of boiling water, oats, molasses, and other ingredients, resulting in a nourishing and flavorful loaf.

The history of using oats in breadmaking can be traced back to ancient civilizations. Oats were a staple grain in regions with cooler climates, where wheat and other grains might not thrive as well. Oats were not only consumed as a porridge or cereal but were also incorporated into various baked goods, including bread.

As modern baking techniques developed, the use of oats in bread recipes evolved as well. Rolled oats, which are oats that have been steamed and flattened, gained popularity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as a convenient and nutritious ingredient. The hearty texture and nutty flavor of rolled oats made them an excellent addition to bread recipes, enhancing both taste and nutritional value.

The Rolled Oats Bread recipe you’ve provided appears to be a traditional recipe that likely originated during this period. The combination of boiling water, oats, molasses, and Crisco (a brand of vegetable shortening) suggests that this bread recipe was developed during a time when simple, readily available ingredients were used to create nourishing and economical meals.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cupfuls boiling water
• 2 tablespoonfuls Crisco (or any vegetable shortening)
• 1 cupful rolled oats
• 1/2 cupful molasses
• 2 teaspoonfuls salt
• 1/2 yeast cake (equivalent to about 1.25 teaspoons of active dry yeast)
• 1/2 cupful lukewarm water
• Flour

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Add the boiling water to the rolled oats in a mixing bowl. Allow the oats to soak in the water for one hour. This helps soften the oats and adds moisture to the dough.
2. After an hour, stir in the molasses and salt into the soaked oats mixture.
3. In a separate container, dissolve the half yeast cake (or active dry yeast) in lukewarm water. Let it sit for a few minutes until it becomes frothy, indicating that the yeast is active.
4. Add the yeast mixture to the oat mixture, along with the Crisco.
5. Begin adding flour gradually to the mixture, stirring as you go, until a stiff dough forms. The exact amount of flour may vary, but you’ll want to add enough to create a workable dough.
6. Once the dough has come together, turn it out onto a floured surface and knead it well. Kneading helps develop the gluten in the dough and ensures a better texture.
7. Place the kneaded dough back into the mixing bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and let it rise until it has doubled in size. This may take around 1-2 hours, depending on the ambient temperature.
8. After the dough has risen, gently deflate it by pressing down on it. Divide the dough into two portions.
9. Grease two bread pans with Crisco or other greasing agents.
10. Shape each portion of the dough into loaves and place them into the prepared bread pans.
11. Cover the pans again with a damp cloth and let the dough rise for a second time until it reaches the top of the pans. This usually takes around 30-60 minutes.
12. Preheat the oven to a moderate temperature.
13. Once the dough has risen in the pans, place them in the preheated oven.
14. Bake the loaves for approximately 40 minutes or until they are golden brown and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
15. Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack before slicing and serving.

• Rolled Oats Bread is not only a delicious and versatile bread option but also a testament to the ingenuity of generations past, who creatively incorporated nutritious ingredients like oats into their daily meals. This particular recipe showcases a blend of convenience and traditional wisdom, resulting in a nourishing loaf that carries the wholesome goodness of rolled oats and the timeless satisfaction of homemade bread.