Nutty Whole Wheat Honey Oat Bread

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups warm water (110°F/45°C)
• 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 tablespoons olive oil or melted butter
• 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup rolled oats (plus extra for topping)
• 1/2 cup chopped nuts (such as walnuts or pecans)
• 1 teaspoon salt

Instructions:

1. Activate the Yeast:

• In a small bowl, combine warm water and honey. Sprinkle the yeast over the water and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it becomes foamy.

2. Mix the Dough:

• In a large mixing bowl, combine the activated yeast mixture with olive oil or melted butter. Add in the whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, rolled oats, chopped nuts, and salt. Stir until a shaggy dough forms.

3. Knead the Dough:

• Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead it for about 8-10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. If the dough is too sticky, you can add a little more flour.

4. First Rise:

• Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1-1.5 hours, or until it doubles in size.

5. Shape the Loaf:

• Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release any air bubbles. Shape it into a loaf and place it in a greased loaf pan. Alternatively, you can shape it into a round loaf and place it on a parchment-lined baking sheet for a free-form loaf.

6. Second Rise:

• Cover the shaped dough again and let it rise for another 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until it puffs up and nearly doubles in size.

7. Preheat the Oven:

• About 20 minutes before the dough is finished rising, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

8. Bake:

• Once the dough has risen for the second time, brush the top with water and sprinkle some extra rolled oats over it for decoration. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.

9. Cool and Serve:

• Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. Slice and serve with butter, honey, or your favorite spreads.