Oatmeal Sourdough Bread For Bread Machine Recipes

Steps:

• Add ingredients according to the recommendations from your bread machine's manufacturer.
• Use dough cycle.
• Remove finished dough and shape into loaf.
• Let rise forty minutes to one hour (until doubled). If using just starter and no yeast, rising time will vary greatly--I usually let mine rise overnight if I use just starter.
• Bake at 350 degrees 40 minutes. Don't preheat oven! Just stick bread dough in there and set the heat!

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients in a large bowl or your stand mixer bowl.
• Combine until a loose dough forms. Cover and let sit 30 minutes.
• Knead dough 5 - 10 minutes or until dough is smooth. The dough will still be quite wet. That's ok if you are using a stand mixer. If you are kneading by hand you my need to add a little more flour to keep the dough from sticking. Just add as little as possible as we want to keep this a soft dough.
• Place dough in a greased bowl, cover and let rise in a warm place, about 2 hours.
• Shape dough and place in a large greased loaf pan. Cover and let rise for an additional 1 - 1½ hours.
• If you are using a regular metal or glass loaf pan bake at 375 degrees for 50 - 55 minutes or until the interior reaches 200 degrees (I use my trusty digital thermometer for this). If you are using an unglazed terra cotta pan (like I do, shown above) follow the directions that come with the pan. For example, I soak the pan in water for 15 minutes and then place the bread in a cold oven, set the temperature to 475 and bake for about 50 minutes.
• When done, remove from pan and let cool for at least 15 minutes before cutting. This is important to let the crumb set so you will get nice even slices.