This honey oat toasting bread is a delightful twist on the classic oatmeal bread, offering a slightly sweet and nutty flavor.
Combine the boiling water, rolled oats, and steel cut oats in a mixing bowl. Stir to mix and let it cool to lukewarm.
Cooling the mixture ensures the yeast isn't killed by excessive heat.
Add the honey, flour, dry milk, salt, yeast, and flax seeds to the oat mixture. Mix until a dough forms.
Mixing thoroughly ensures even distribution of ingredients.
Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes.
Kneading develops the gluten, giving the bread its structure.
Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
Covering the bowl with a damp cloth prevents the dough from drying out.
Shape the dough into a loaf and place it in a greased bread pan. Cover and let it rise again until it crowns over the pan, about 1 hour.
Ensure the dough is evenly shaped for uniform baking.
Preheat the oven to 375°F. Bake the bread for 35-40 minutes, tenting with foil after 20 minutes to prevent over-browning.
Using a thermometer, check for an internal temperature of 200°F for doneness.
Remove the bread from the oven and cool on a wire rack before slicing.
Cooling allows the bread to set, making slicing easier.