Oatmeal Molasses Bread

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This oatmeal molasses bread is an old-fashioned loaf that fills the kitchen with irresistible warmth. The combination of oats, milk, and molasses gives it a beautifully tender crumb with a hint of sweetness and a rich, hearty flavor. It’s an excellent bread for beginners but fully satisfying for experienced bakers, too.

The texture is soft yet sturdy, perfect for sandwiches, toast, or simple buttered slices. Molasses adds a deep caramel note, and the oats keep the bread moist for days. If you’re looking for a homemade bread that feels both nostalgic and practical, this is a wonderful loaf to have in your rotation. In this mixture, cool to lukewarm before you combine it with the yeast.

Ingredient Notes

• Active dry yeast – Two standard packets ensure the dough rises well.
• Warm water – Helps activate the yeast.
• Milk – Adds richness and softness to the loaf.
• Shortening – Helps keep the crumb tender.
• Molasses – Gives the bread its characteristic flavor and color.
• Flour – Add enough to form a soft, workable dough.
• Quick oats – Provide moisture and a hearty texture.

Steps to Make Oatmeal Molasses Bread

1. Dissolve the yeast in warm water and set it aside.
2. Heat the milk and pour it over the shortening, salt, and molasses.
3. Cool the mixture, then add some flour, the yeast mixture, and the oats.
4. Stir in enough flour to form a soft dough.
5. Knead until smooth and elastic, then place in a buttered bowl to rise.
6. Punch down, rest briefly, and shape into two loaves.
7. Transfer to loaf pans, brush with butter, and let rise again.
8. Bake until golden and cool on racks.

Recipe Variations

• Use part whole wheat flour. Replace 1 to 2 cups of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat for a heartier loaf.
• Add seeds. Mix in sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, or sesame seeds for extra texture.
• Sweeten differently. Replace part of the molasses with honey for a lighter flavor.
• Make rolls. Shape the dough into rolls instead of loaves and bake until golden.
• Add cinnamon. A teaspoon of cinnamon gives the bread a warm, spiced profile.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve warm with butter or honey.
• Pair with soups, stews, or chili.
• Add it to breakfast with jam or peanut butter.
• Garnish toast with sliced bananas or cinnamon sugar.

Here’s another homemade oatmeal bread made with a smaller amount of milk, or you might like this easy no-knead bread or this easy, airy focaccia.

Oatmeal Molasses Bread

Diana Rattray

Whether you’re a beginning bread baker or experienced, you will love how easy this oatmeal molasses bread is! It’s amazing toasted!

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Servings 24

Calories 165

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Other TimeProofing Time 2 hours hrs

Total Time 3 hours hrs

Ingredients

  

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• 2 pkts active dry yeast, (about 4 1/2 teaspoons)
• ½ cup warm water, about 110 F
• 1 ½ cups milk
• ⅓ cup vegetable shortening
• 2 tsp salt
• ½ cup molasses
• 4 ½ to 5 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
• 2 cups quick cooking rolled oats
• Butter or cooking spray, for greasing the bowl and loaf pans
• Melted butter for brushing the loaves

Recommended Equipment

• Loaf pan
• Glass measuring cups
• Pastry brush
• Mixing bowls
• Cooling racks

Instructions

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• Combine yeast and warm water in a cup or small bowl; set aside.
  2 pkts active dry yeast | 1/2 cup warm water
• In a saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat until bubbles begin to appear around the edges.
  1 1/2 cups milk
• Pour the hot milk over shortening, salt, and molasses. Stir until shortening melts. Cool the mixture until it is lukewarm and then stir in 1 cup of the flour, the yeast mixture, and the oats. Stir in enough additional flour to make a soft dough.
  1/3 cup vegetable shortening | 2 tsp salt | 1/2 cup molasses | 4 1/2 to 5 cups all-purpose flour | 2 cups quick cooking rolled oats
• Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes. If it is quite sticky, incorporate extra flour. Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a large buttered bowl; turn the dough over to grease both sides with the butter.
  Butter or cooking spray, for greasing the bowl and loaf pans
• Cover the bowl with a kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm place until nearly doubled in size, about 1 hour. Punch down; cover and let rest 10 minutes. Form into two loaves. Place in greased 9-by-5-by-3-inch loaf pans. Brush tops with melted butter.
  Melted butter for brushing the loaves
• Cover the pans with a kitchen towel and let the dough rise for about 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until nearly double in size.
• Bake the bread in a preheated 375°F for 35 to 40 minutes. Remove from pans immediately and cool on racks.
• Brush with more melted butter while hot for a softer crust. Makes 2 loaves, about 12 slices each.
  

Nutrition

Calories: 165kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 4gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.4gCholesterol: 2mgSodium: 203mgPotassium: 175mgFiber: 1gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 25IUCalcium: 40mgIron: 2mg

Disclaimer:

Our nutritional information is based on a third-party application that analyzes the ingredients list to determine the values. The information is meant to be helpful, but should be considered an estimate. Values may differ depending on measurements, brands, serving variations, and database availability.

Keyword homemade bread, oatmeal bread

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