Four Grain Batter Bread

If you've read this blog for more than one week you know that I love to bake and that bread is one of my favorite treats. Not sweet breads or fruit breads, just plain old yeast breads. That said, they do take quite a bit of time and little know-how to make correctly so I don't make them every day, or even every week. But now I've found a recipe that is so easy and DELICIOUS that I could make it every single week.....if not for the fact that I would eat it all and gain 200 pounds.

I first tried Four Grain Batter Bread at my sister's house in Florida this fall. She made it for our dinner one night. It was so moist and tender and scrumptious that I asked her for the recipe. I think it came from The New Betty Crocker Cookbook, but I'm not sure. So here it is reprinted for you: (Sorry no pics this time....we ate it too fast.)


Four Grain Batter Bread

4 1/2 to 4 3/4 cups all purpose or bread flour
2 Tbsp sugar
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking soda
2 pkgs. active dry yeast
2 cups milk
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup wheat germ
1/2 cup quick cooking oats

Grease bottom and sides of two loaf pans with shortening and sprinkle with cornmeal.

Mix 3 1/2 cups bread flour, sugar, salt, baking soda and yeast in a large bowl. Heat milk and water in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until warm (120-130 degrees). Pour over flour mixture. Beat with an electric mixer on low speed until moistened. Beat 3 additional minutes on medium speed.

Stir in whole wheat flour, wheat germ, oats and enough remaining bread flour to create a stiff batter. Divide batter between two pans. Pat tops of bread smooth with floured hands. Sprinkle with cornmeal. Cover with a dish towel and let rise in a warm place until the batter is one inch below the rim of the pan.

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Bake for 25 minutes or until tops are browned. Remove from pans to wire rack to cool.

EAT!!!

For a yummy white batter bread check out my post on Sally Lunn Batter Bread.

This recipe has been linked to Tempt My Tummy Tuesday and Tuesdays at the Table. Head over there for more great recipes.