Oat and Honey Bread

I take no credit for this recipe, either.  The recipe came from Pinterest but the picture is mine.  I have made this bread 2 or 3 times now.  I LOVE it.  The hubby LOVES it.  The kiddo LOVES it.  Therefore it is a keeper.  It is by far my favorite homemade bread recipe that I have ever tried out.  The only downfall is that it is not wheat and I do LOVE wheat bread.  But this bread is so soft and tastes delicious.

Here is what you need:

• 3 Cups Flour
• 3/4 Cup oats, plus a little for topping
• 2 1/4 tsp yeast
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• I Cup Milk
• 1/4 Cup lukewarm water
• 2 Tbsp butter
• 1/4 Cup honey, plus a little for topping

1. In a mixing bowl (I use my kitchen aid with the dough hook), add the flour, oats, yeast, and salt. Mix to combine.
2. In a small microwavable bowl or 2-cup measuring cup, Heat the milk until it is it warm. (I usually do 1.5 minutes). As soon as it comes out of the microwave add the butter to the milk and stir until the butter is melted. Add in the water and honey. Stir until combined and butter is melted.
3. Pour the milk mixture into the mixing bowl with the flour mixture. Using the dough hook, mix/knead until it is all combined and a soft dough ball forms. The dough will be really really soft and even somewhat sticky. (However, the first time I made this bread, it was so sticky that the dough was not forming a ball. I had to add a bit more flour. The second time I made it, I didn't have to...it was weird.)
4. Once the dough ball forms, dumb the dough ball into a lightly greased bowl, cover, and place in a warm place to let it rise. (The original recipe said this...I always just remove my dough hook and keep it in the kitchen aid bowl...I am lazy that way.) The original recipe said to let it rise about 30 minutes to an hour. (I keep mine about 30 minutes sitting by the heated oven).
5. Once the dough reaches about double the size (give or take), dump it onto a lightly floured or lightly greased counter and form into a loaf. (I know that there are several "techniques" for this as well, but, again, I am lazy. So, I just dump mine out and form the dough into an oblong type shape using my hands.
6. Grease/spray a loaf pan. I don't know sizes...sorry...I use my largest one. Place your oblong type shaped dough into the loaf pan. Cover and let raise again. (Again, the original recipe said 1 to 1.5 hours...Again, I maybe let it sit there 30-45 minutes)
7. Heat about 2 Tbsp (give or take) of honey in the microwave for 15-20 sec. Brush the top of the loaf with the warmed honey. Sprinkle more oats over the top of the honey (I do the honey part, but I have never added the oats on top)
8. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 40-50 minutes.
9. Let cool a few minutes in the pan and then dump out to finish cooling.

Serve fresh with honey, jam, butter, or plain! So great!