Why I Love This Bread

This oatmeal bread is my favorite. It makes the whole house smell like a warm hug. I love how simple it is to make. It feels like a small miracle every time.

It is not fancy or complicated. It is just good, honest food. That is why it matters. Good food does not need to be hard. What is your favorite smell from the kitchen?

A Little Story for You

I once tried to bake this bread for a friend. I was talking on the phone and forgot the honey. The loaves came out so small and sad. I still laugh at that.

My friend came over anyway. We ate the little loaves with lots of jam. We had the best time. It taught me that mistakes in the kitchen are okay. The time together is what really matters.

Let’s Make the Dough

First, pour the warm milk over your oats and butter. Walk away for a bit. This wait is important. It makes the oats soft and happy.

Then add the honey and yeast. Does not that smell amazing? Now, add your flours slowly. The dough should feel soft, like a baby’s cheek. Stop adding flour when it feels just right.

The Magic of Rising

Cover the dough with a towel. Find a warm spot for it. Let it rest until it gets big and puffy. This is my favorite part. It is like watching a cloud grow.

This waiting time is why homemade bread is special. You are letting the dough come to life. It cannot be rushed. Do you have a warm spot in your house for dough to rise?

Baking and Sharing

After the second rise, it is time to bake. Brush the tops with the egg wash. This gives the bread a beautiful, shiny crust. Sprinkle a few oats on top for a pretty look.

Fun fact: Tapping the baked loaf should sound hollow. That is how you know it is done! Let the bread cool completely before you slice it. This is the hardest part, waiting.

The First Slice

That first slice is pure joy. It is slightly sweet from the honey. The oats make it feel hearty and healthy. It is perfect with a little butter.

Sharing food you made yourself is a wonderful feeling. It is a way to show you care. That is why this matters. Will you share your first loaf with someone special? I hope you do.

Ingredients:

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Milk	2 cups	brought to a simmer
Old-fashioned rolled oats	1 cup	not quick or instant oats
Butter	4 Tablespoons	softened
Honey	1/2 cup
Instant yeast	4 ½ teaspoons
Warm water	1/2 cup
Kosher salt	1 1/2 teaspoons
Whole wheat flour	2 1/2 cups
All-purpose flour	2 ¼ – 3 cups
Egg white (for wash)	1	mixed with 1 Tbsp water

My Cozy Oatmeal Bread

There is nothing quite like the smell of baking bread. It fills the whole house with warmth. My grandson says it smells like a big, cozy hug.

This oatmeal bread is my favorite. It is soft, a little sweet, and so comforting. I love making it on a quiet morning. Let me show you how.

Step 1: First, we get the oats ready. Put your oats and butter in a big bowl. Heat the milk until it is just steaming. Pour it right over the oat mixture. Give it a good stir. Now, we must be patient. Let it sit for about an hour and a half. It needs to cool down completely. I use this time to tidy up my kitchen.

Step 2: Now for the fun part! Add the honey, warm water, yeast, and salt. Doesn’t that honey look lovely? Mix it all together. Then, stir in the whole wheat flour. Next, add the all-purpose flour, a little bit at a time. The dough will start to form. (My hard-learned tip: Don’t add all the flour at once! You might not need it all. A soft, slightly sticky dough makes the best bread.)

Step 3: Time for the dough’s first nap. Put the dough in a greased bowl. Cover it with my favorite checkered dish towel. Find a warm spot for it. Let it rest until it gets twice as big. This takes about an hour. I still laugh at how my cat watches it rise.

Step 4: Gently punch the dough down. It will puff right out! Divide it into two equal pieces. Shape them into loaves and put them in your pans. Make the egg wash and brush it on top. Sprinkle a few extra oats over the top. They make the crust look so pretty.

Step 5: The second rise is shorter. Cover the loaves with greased plastic wrap. Let them rise again until they peek over the pan. This makes such a tall, beautiful loaf. Why do you think we let the dough rise twice? Share below!

Step 6: Now, into the oven it goes! Bake until the tops are a golden brown. The smell is just amazing. Tap the top; it should sound hollow. Let the bread cool in the pan for a bit. Then, turn it out to cool completely. I know it’s hard to wait!

Cook Time: 30–40 minutes
Total Time: About 4 hours
Yield: 2 loaves
Category: Baking, Bread

Three Tasty Twists

This bread is wonderful just as it is. But sometimes, it is fun to change things up. Here are a few ideas I like to play with.

Cinnamon-Raisin Swirl: Roll the dough out flat. Sprinkle it with cinnamon and raisins. Roll it up into a loaf. It’s like a cozy sweater for your taste buds.

Nutty Crunch: Add a handful of chopped walnuts or pecans to the dough. It gives the bread a lovely little crunch in every bite.

Sunflower Seed Topping: Before baking, brush with the egg wash. Then, sprinkle sunflower seeds on top instead of oats. It’s so cheerful and tasty.

Which one would you try first? Comment below!

Serving Your Masterpiece

A warm slice of this bread is a treat all by itself. I love it with a little pat of butter. The butter melts right into all the little holes. It is pure happiness.

For breakfast, toast a slice and drizzle it with honey. It is so good with a bowl of soup for lunch. You could even make fantastic peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with it. The bread holds up perfectly.

What should you drink with it? A cold glass of milk is my go-to. For the grown-ups, a cup of hot tea or a nice amber ale pairs beautifully. Which would you choose tonight?

Keeping Your Oatmeal Bread Fresh

Let’s talk about keeping your bread soft. Once your loaves are completely cool, wrap them tightly in plastic. They will stay fresh on the counter for about three days. You can also freeze this bread for later. Just wrap the loaf in plastic and then in foil. It will keep for three months.

I remember my first time freezing bread. I was so proud of my two loaves. I wanted one for now and one for later. It felt wonderful to have homemade bread ready on a busy day. That is why batch cooking matters. It gives you a gift for your future self.

To reheat a frozen loaf, let it thaw on the counter. Then warm it in a 300-degree oven for ten minutes. Your kitchen will smell amazing all over again. Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!

Simple Fixes for Common Bread Problems

Sometimes bread can be tricky. Do not worry. I have some easy fixes. If your dough is not rising, check your yeast. Make sure your water is warm, not hot. Hot water will hurt the yeast. Your kitchen might also be too cold.

I once forgot the salt. The bread tasted very bland. Salt matters for flavor. It also helps control the yeast. If your bread is too dense, you may have added too much flour. A fun fact: flour amounts can change with the weather.

Measure carefully and add it slowly. This helps you get a soft, light loaf. Fixing small problems builds your cooking confidence. You learn more each time you bake. Which of these problems have you run into before?

Your Oatmeal Bread Questions Answered

Q: Can I make this gluten-free? A: I have not tried it. A gluten-free flour blend might work. But the texture will be different.

Q: Can I make the dough ahead? A: Yes. After the first rise, punch it down. Cover the bowl and put it in the fridge overnight.

Q: What can I use instead of honey? A: Maple syrup is a wonderful swap. It will give the bread a lovely, warm taste.

Q: Can I make just one loaf? A: Of course. Simply cut all the ingredients in half. It is an easy way to try the recipe.

Q: Any optional add-ins? A: A handful of raisins or walnuts is very nice. Stir them in with the flour. Which tip will you try first?

A Little Note From My Kitchen to Yours

I hope you love making this oatmeal bread. There is nothing like the smell of baking bread. It makes a house feel like a home. I would love to see your beautiful loaves.

Share a picture with your friends and family. Have you tried this recipe? Tag us on Pinterest! It makes me so happy to see you baking. Thank you for spending this time with me.

Happy cooking! —Grace Ellington.