Molasses Oatmeal Bread

I baked this bread just to use for meatloaf sandwiches after trying a sample I have received from Healthy Solutions for their Savory Meatloaf. It smelled sooo good while baking, but of course just about any fresh baked bread makes the house smell awesome. It made for great sandwiches that first day, but it did turn out denser than what I was looking for, so I think I'll try reducing the molasses next time. That said, it was pretty fabulous toasted after that. Nice and crispy around the edges and chewy in the center - I cut thick slices for my toast.

INGREDIENTS :

2 c old fashioned oats (not quick)

2 t salt

1 T yeast

1 1/2 c warm water

1/2 c molasses

2 t vanilla

3 1/2 c bread flour

1. Add the oats, salt, and yeast to the bowl of your stand mixer, or a large bowl
2. Stir together the warm water, molasses, and vanilla, then combine with the oat mixture
3. Add the flour, a little at a time, until incorporated
4. Knead until the dough pulls into a shiny ball
5. Remove from bowl, then oil or spray the bowl, put the dough back in, then cover and let rise until doubled, about an hour
6. Spray or grease a loaf pan
7. Punch down the dough, shape into a loaf and transfer to prepared loaf pan
8. Sprinkle a handful of oats over the top if you like
9. Cover and let rise again - 20 minutes or so should do it
10. Bake at 350 for about an hour until golden and baked through