Oatmeal Batter Bread

Bread Baking Challenge – Week 8

Batter breads are a busy baker’s best friend. With shorter rising and preparation times batter breads get you in and out of the kitchen fresh baked bread in hand. I have made oatmeal batter breads in the past with mixed results so I thought I would find a whole new recipe and give it another shot.

Linda Larsen’s Oatmeal Batter Bread recipe, found at About.com is a fairly simple recipe. Actually I would say it is a good gateway recipe from making quick breads to making more complex yeast bread recipes. Yeast is involved in this recipe but because it is a batter bread it’s a little less intimidating. After all there is no kneading required. This is a good beginner bread, yes Deb, that means you could do it too. A word of warning though, we used this bread for sandwiches but judging from past and current experiences oatmeal batter breads do tend to crumble more easily than your average sandwich loaf, I’ll share a bit more about that later but now I think I should disclose something to you.

One of my personal bread baking challenge rules is to follow each weeks recipe to the letter. This week I was confronted with a little dilemma, this batter bread recipe calls for 2- 2 1/2 cups flour and does not specify what kind of flour. I have been around the baking block enough to know the recipes author most likely intended for all-purpose flour to be used but since it did not specify I took the law into my own hands and improvised a bit. The improvisation in question? Whole Wheat flour. Yes, I used whole wheat flour, I would do it again and I would suggest that if you make this bread that you do as well.

I’m a rebel. So there.

We tested out our Oatmeal Batter Bread loaf by slicing it, toasting it and making it into the base of one of our favorite dinners, the always messy, always delicious fried egg sandwich. Now to be clear fried egg sandwiches are always a messy meal in our house. Every time we make these sandwiches Luke and I happily wolf down our sandwiches, never setting them down, all the while discussing how much we love our messy friend egg sandwiches.

For those of you who have not had a fried egg sandwich the yolk dripping out all over your fingers as you eat, I must tell you, you are most definitely missing out. The oatmeal batter bread added a nice nutty flavor and a little sweetness to our sandwiches. We thoroughly enjoyed it, even if our bread fell apart on us a bit here and there mid-meal.

I like that in less than 2 hours I can claim victory over my bread and celebrate my win with a nice warm slice of fresh bread covered in butter.

While this bread is quick I am not so sure it’s versatile. A messy fall apart fried egg sandwich with oatmeal batter bread is great, and a peanut butter and jelly sandwich gets two thumbs up because of the pb&j “glue” that helps hold the bread together. A turkey sandwich may not be such a winner though, since the bread may not hold up to the toppings as well. The slightly sweet and nutty flavor of this bread is wonderful and its texture is soft and almost spongy so I think it would make a great side for a big bowl of soup.

Will oatmeal batter bread have a repeat performance in our home? Well, I can see myself making this bread in a pinch or if I feel the need for instant gratification. Also, Luke and Maddy loved it and I can see them requesting it in the future, so I guess that is a yes.

Flavor: 4
Hands on time: 4
Total time: 4
Recipe: 4
versatility:3
make it again: 3
Catherine: 1
Luke: 1
Maddy: 1

Total Score: 25

Previous Bread Challenge bread reviews and scores:
Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls – Week 7
Cheesy Pretzels – Week 6
Light Rye Bread – Week 5
Country-Style Whole-Wheat Pita – Week 4
Carrot Raisin Quick Bread – Week 3
Potato Bread – Week 2
Focaccia – Week 1