Homemade Brown Bread

Ingredients

1. 1-1/2 cups boiling water
2. 1 cup old-fashioned oats
3. 2 tablespoons shortening
4. 2 teaspoons salt
5. 1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast
6. 3/4 cup warm water (110° to 115°)
7. 1/2 teaspoon sugar
8. 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
9. 1/4 cup molasses
10. 4-3/4 to 5-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
11. Melted butter

Directions

1. In a bowl, combine first four ingredients. Cool to 110°-115°. In a bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Sprinkle with sugar. Add oat mixture, brown sugar, molasses and 3 cups flour; mix well. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough.
2. Turn onto a floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl; turn once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
3. Punch dough down. Divide in half; shape into loaves. Place in two greased 9×5-in. loaf pans. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30-45 minutes.
4. Preheat oven to 375°. Bake 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool. Brush with butter.