Oatmeal Bread

OATMEAL BREAD

2 c. oatmeal
3 1/2 c. boiling water
2 cakes of yeast (dissolved in 1/2 c. water plus a pinch of sugar)
2/3 c. brown sugar
4 tsp. salt
11 c. flour
1/2 c. oil
1 T. plus molasses

Place in large mixing bowl oatmeal, brown sugar, salt, oil and molasses. Pour boiling water over it, stir and let stand until lukewarm. Pour in dissolved yeast, add flour and knead thoroughly until smooth and elastic. Cover and let rise in a warm place until double in bulk (I turn my oven on briefly, turn it off and place rising bread in it). Punch or stir enough to remove bubbles and let rise again.

Turn out on floured board, knead briefly, shape into loaves, rub with a little vegetable oil, and place in oiled loaf pans. Cover loaves with a cloth and let rise until double in size. Bake in 325 to 350 degree oven for about 40 minutes. Turn out on cake rack and let cool.

Makes 3 loaves, under 2 lb. each.