A soft, sturdy and hearty yeasted bread with a tender crumb; Oatmeal-Maple Bread is no-knead and comes from Alexandra Stafford’s new cookbook Bread Toast Crumbs. vegetarian or vegan
It’s birthday month y’all so you know what that means! Plenty of Double Chocolate Devil’s Food Cupcakes on the agenda as well as copious bits of fun time sprinkled throughout.
Rob and I took a little weekend getaway to Seattle this past weekend to see a sold out U2 concert! It was their U.S. kickoff concert and I was completely blown away! The Seattle Times called it “Political. Passionate. Larger Than Life.” Of course we sat waaaay up in the stands at Century Link Field, but there wasn’t a bad seat in the house.
Imagine, an open roof, Seattle’s skyline, a dramatic sky and Bono singing Where the Streets Have No Name… I was completely undone. The energy was palpable, being with so many other fans, friends and chatting with strangers; it was a most memorable evening.
If they’re heading your way, and you’re a fan, this is something you don’t want to miss!!
Since it’s a bit of a trip to get to Seattle, I always pack snacks and sometimes lunches when we go. Oatmeal-Maple Bread was one that went with us. It’s so good with a bit of peanut butter and jelly slathered on.
One of the best things about food blogging is receiving cookbooks in the mail from bloggers you follow. Being able to share new cookbooks with y’all in this space makes receiving them even more fun.
Ali’s cookbook, Bread Toast Crumbs; Recipes for No-Knead Loaves and Meals to Savor Every Slice is packed with inspiration and page-turning, drool-worthy photography. And while I finally landed on Oatmeal-Maple Bread to share with y’all (hello – breakfast bread!), there are so many more recipes I can’t wait to try.
Simple ingredients transformed into the tastiest pleasures is part of what makes cooking and baking so rewarding. The process, time and love that goes into making a recipe goes a long way to feed the belly and soul.
When it comes to bread, this is as simple as baking gets. Yet there are so many ways and differing ingredients to create a delicious loaf of bread. Where does one start?
In Bread Toast Crumbs, Ali starts with her Mother’s basic, 40 year old, peasant bread recipe. Then, she presents variations off this time tested and family treasured recipe. Spicy Jalapeño Corn and Jack Bread, Three Seed Bread and Cinnamon-Sugar Monkey Bread are just a few examples of how she transforms her mom’s peasant bread.
Ali’s cookbook doesn’t stop at sweet and savory bread recipes though. She shares how to put that delicious bread to work in recipes such as Savory French Toast, Panzanella Three Ways, Food Cart Grilled Cheese, and Strawberry Shortcake made out of Buttermilk Pull-Apart Rolls (!!) and so much more. I’m anxiously waiting until our local strawberries make a showing for those pull-apart rolls!
Bread Toast Crumbs is not only packed with delicious recipes but also Ali’s time tested tips and insight into the stories behind her recipes. In addition, she shares troubleshooting and ingredient tips as well as how to preserve and store fresh bread.
While Bread Toast Crumbs is not a strictly vegetarian cookbook, there is plenty here to devour for vegetarians. It’s in similar form to her blog Alexandra Cooks and from her writing on Food52.
I chose Oatmeal-Maple Bread to share with y’all because a good sturdy breakfast loaf goes a long way in our home. I love the flavor and texture of oatmeal sweetened with maple so having that flavor profile in a breakfast bread flipped my switch!
This easy rustic bread is hearty, soft but chewy and has a tender crumb perfect for catching all the good stuff you’ll slather on it. Lightly sweetened, the crust has a slightly crunchy texture and is enjoyed best toasted served simply with butter and jam.
Because kitchen temperatures vary so widely, be sure to use the time suggestions in the recipe as such. Let the bread guide your process rather than the clock. My kitchen is still cold (today’s high is 52F !!), so I use the tip below.
Really, y’all, this recipe is SO easy. If you’re new to bread baking, Oatmeal-Maple Bread is a great place to start. I hope you’ll give this a go regardless. You’ll love it! For a little bit more of a challenge, try my Multigrain Bread. Their flavors are similar.
TIP: Since kitchen temperatures vary, and in order to allow the bread to rise in a timely manner, you can use your oven or microwave to help control this process. Simply turn on your oven at the lowest setting for about 30 seconds, then turn it off. Place the covered dough into the oven. This will help the dough rise in a cool kitchen. This technique can be done for the first (fermentation) and second rise (proof). – OR – Place a heatproof bowl of boiling water in the microwave. Place the covered bread in the microwave next to the water. This creates a warm and humid environment which yeast thrive in! Do this for the first (fermentation) and second (proof) rise
Oh – and the Chickadees?! The chicks have hatched and a flurry of activity is happening around the nest! (eeee!!)
Oatmeal-Maple Bread
A sturdy-chewy yeasted bread with a hearty crumb; Oatmeal-Maple Bread is slightly adapted from Alexandra Stafford's cookbook Bread Toast Crumbs. vegetarian or vegan **Due to the nature of making bread, total time below may vary.
Ingredients
- 1 C (114g) Rolled Oats not quick cook, + a bit more for topping the bread
- 1/4 C (80g) Maple Syrup
- 1 C (225g) Boiling Water
- 1 C (225g) Room Temperature Water
- 2 1/4 C (288g) Unbleached All Purpose Flour
- 1 C (145g) White Whole Wheat Flour (aka Ivory Wheat Flour) *see note
- 2 tsp Kosher Salt
- 2 1/4 tsp Instant Yeast
- Softened Butter, or sub Coconut Oil, for greasing
Instructions
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In a small bowl, combine the rolled oats, boiling water and maple syrup. Let stand for 10 minutes to hydrate the oats. Add room temperature water and stir to combine.
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In a large bowl, whisk together the flours, salt, and instant yeast. Add the oat mixture. Using a rubber spatula and eventually your hands, mix and knead until the liquid is absorbed and the ingredients form a sticky dough ball. Cover the bowl with a damp tea towel or a plastic wrap and set aside in a warm spot to rise for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, until the dough has double in bulk. (see tip in notes if your kitchen is cool)
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Set oven rack in the center of oven and preheat the oven to 375F (190C). Grease two, 1 quart (.94L) oven safe bowls with butter or coconut oil - be generous here. Using two forks, deflate the dough by releasing it from the sides of the bowl and pulling it towards the center. Rotate the bowl quarter turns as you deflate, turning the mass into a rough ball. It doesn't have to be perfect.
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Using your two forks, and working from the center out, separate the dough into two equal pieces. use the forks to lift each half of dough into a prepared bowl. If the dough is too sticky, wet your hands with water and scoop each piece up and transfer each half to a bowl. Do not cover the bowls unless the bowls are in a drafty area. Otherwise set the bowls in a warm space (see tip below if your kitchen is cool) while the oven is pre-heating for 10-20 minutes, until the top of the dough just crowns the rims of the bowls. Sprits the dough with a few sprays water and sprinkle just a little bit of oats on the top of each loaf (about 1 tsp each).
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Transfer the bowls to the oven and bake for 40 minutes, or until golden all around. Remove the bowls from the oven and turn the loaves out onto cooling racks. If the loaves look pale, return them to their bowls and bake for an additional 5 minutes. Turn the bread out to cool for 15 minutes before cutting.
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Store in a brown paper or plastic bag for up to three days. These loaves freeze beautifully as well. Wrap them tightly in a plastic bag and freeze for up to two weeks. Thaw at room temperature overnight.
Recipe Notes
*Ali's recipe calls for whole wheat flour, but I used white whole wheat flour because that's what I had on hand. Either will work!
TIP: Since kitchen temperatures vary, and in order to allow the bread to rise in a timely manner, you can use your oven or microwave to help control this process. Simply turn on your oven at the lowest setting for about 30 seconds, then turn it off. Place the covered dough into the oven. This will help the dough rise in a cool kitchen. This technique can be done for the first (fermentation) and second rise (proof). - OR - Place a heatproof bowl of boiling water in the microwave. Place the covered bread in the microwave next to the water. This creates a warm and humid environment which yeast thrive in! Do this for the first (fermentation) and second (proof) rise.
Disclosure: I received a complementary copy of Bread Toast Crumbs and chose to share it in this space because I admire Ali’s work. All opinions in this post are my own.
This was great and so easy – it makes a fantastic grilled cheese too. Next time, I may try adding sunflower seeds. It reminds me a lot of a bread I used to make from the King Arthur book that had sunflower in it. That one took much more effort. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Kate! Thank you for coming back and leaving a note! So happy you enjoyed the recipe and that it’s easier, hooray! I think sunflower seeds would be a delicious addition!
This looks fabulous. If I want to make it as one loaf, and use a dutch oven as you suggest, what size dutch oven would you use, and would you pre-heat it? Thanks!
Hi Donna… For one loaf, you can get away with using a standard 9×4 1/2″ loaf pan (for shaping, if needed, see: https://vanillaandbean.com/multigrain-bread/ ) or for a boule, a 9-10″ Dutch oven should work just fine. Bake until the bread reaches an internal temperature of 185F-190F (85C-87C). No need to preheat the Dutch oven. I hope this helps!
Also, Donna, be sure to use parchment paper if using a Dutch oven. I’ve had it stick before and it’s not fun trying to get the bread out.
Thank you! I have made that multigrain loaf recipe (love it!) but my shaping is still not quite right; I sometimes end up with a raw-ish bit in the center. But I do have a 4 qt Le Creuset, so I maybe I will try that instead, with parchment paper.
Oh, shaping… keep at it! You’ll get it! A kitchen thermometer is helpful when baking bread. You’re looking for that internal temperature to be at 190f and to allow the bread to cool completely before slicing into it (it’s SO hard to do!). I hope this helps, Donna.
As a total carb fiend, I know I would inhale this bread – can’t wait to try your recipe!
I’m so glad you made this one! It looks fabulous (and so yummy with that jam!). I too would sneak a loaf in my bag with some PB & J during my travels. Hope you had a lovely time at the concert and happy, happy birthday to you. x
Ohhh yes.. a perfect vehicle for jam! xo
Hooray! I’ve already made this version from Ali’s book, and like all of them, it’s delightful. Beautiful photos and rendering, Traci :)
What a fun concert! Happy birthday month!!! :) I love the sound of this maple-oat bread and can imagine what it smells like during baking. Delicious! xoxo
Wow! What a perfect weekend…U2, open roof, Seattle skyline, dramatic sky… All it needed was Oatmeal-Maple Bread with a bit of peanut butter and jelly, and nothing could be better! Oh wait, you had that too! I love everything about this post! And that bread is something I need…NOW! Thanks for sharing, Traci! Happy Birthmonth, my friend!
Lol, I seriously LOVE that you celebrate your birthday all month long! Life is too short not to, right?! And OMG, you went to Seattle AND a U2 concert!? SO FUN! I’ve always wanted to visit Seattle and I can’t even imagine how awesome U2 was in concert! Jealous!! Anyways, I’m a huge fan of the blog Alexandra Cooks and I’ve heard nothing but marvelous things about her book, Bread Toast Crumbs. I DEFINITELY need to pick up a copy! This bread looks amazing!! I love oatmeal bread, but the addition of maple sounds just fabulous! Pinned! Cheers, dear! XOXO
Love the rustic feel of this recipe, this bread looks delicious!
Ah, nothing beats the flavor and freshness of homemade bread! Your photo of the bread slice topped with butter and jam literally has my mouth watering—it’s one of my most favorite things to eat in the world! So bummed we won’t be able to see U2 this go round, but we have friends making the almost 5 hour drive to Texas for a concert this weekend, so hopefully we’ll get an in-depth play-by-play of the event afterwards! I’m sure it was such an amazing concert and definitely a birthday experience to remember!
Mouthwatering indeed! I love this demure loaf, Joscelyn! Ooof, 5 hours? That IS a road trip! But worth it indeed! Perhaps there’ll be another opportunity in the future for you to go see U2?
That U2 concert sounds like it was beyond epic! I’m so glad you had a good time.
I’ve been meaning to get around to baking my own bread and you’ve convinced me to get a copy of Ali’s book and get started! This oatmeal maple bread looks like perfection. I can imagine the smell of it baking in the oven is pure heaven!
Epic indeed!! Oh Sarah.. DO IT! You’ll looove this recipe. It’s super easy and tastes SO good!
I’m seeing U2 for the first time later this summer, and I can’t wait. And I will also be road tripping to get there, so I’m going to have to steal your idea and bring this bread.
Hooray!! You’re going to LOVE it Allyson!! And road trips are sooo fun.. this bread packs easily too! I hope you enjoy it!
Hi Traci. Do you think this bread could be made free form? Thank you!
Hey Carrie… I’m thinking perhaps you mean in a loaf pan or dutch oven as one loaf? Easily! The dutch oven would probably need to be on the smaller side if you go that route. I hope this helps!
Forgot to mention, if you do make it as one loaf, you’ll likely need to increase the bake time for about 10 minutes or so. The best way to tell is to temp. the bread aiming for an internal temperature of 190F.
Thanks Traci! Sorry I wasn’t more clear. What I meant by free form was shaped into a loaf and placed on a baking tray/cookie sheet. I am making it now…for my European bread loving step mom. Wish me luck :)
Can’t wait to hear Carrie!
I am really glad the recipe made two loaves! I ate almost 3/4 of one standing at the kitchen counter with the butter and jam as soon as it was out of the oven :) The full and deep flavor surprised me. It is delicious. Light and chewy texture. Such an easy recipe too. I made one loaf in an oven proof bowl and the other on a cookie tray (with lightly oiled parchment paper). The one in the bowl rose higher but the one on the cookie tray got a beautiful dark bottom crust.
Hooray! So happy you enjoyed the recipe Carrie! I like your experiment too.. I’ll have to give it a go. Thank you for sharing!
Hello Traci!
OMG I was on a second date last night amd one of the first songs he played after dinner was a U2 song, and that instantly connected us because we both knew the lyrics and were singing and giggling! ;)
I love to cook but I’m still TERRIFIED of making bread! Especially since I am mostly vegan and try my best to stay away from gluten, and since the g-free bread I can stomach (super toasted 😫) is not that great, so I usually figure mine won’t even taste decent!
Do you think this recipe would work with a g-free (like a cup4cuo kind) flour mix?
Thank you for always inspiring us!
Best,
Giselle.
Ahwwh, thank you for our kind note, Giselle! How fun (and exciting) you two were singing and giggling together to U2! Sounds like there may be a second date?! I would love to say confidently, go for it, but I’ve not baked bread with 1 to 1 gf flour subs. You could give it a go and see how it works out.. if you do, we’d love to hear how it works out for you!
I don’t make bread enough, Traci – and I love bread – so this is an inspiring recipe for me! I love Alexandra’s blog – her recipes and photos are gorgeous – and didn’t know she put out a cookbook so will need to get it. Happy Bday month – the U2 concert sounds fantastic! Have a great weekend!
What an absolutely GORGEOUS loaf Traci! You are the queen of bread making! I wish I was as talented in that department. Ali’s cookbook sounds wonderful. I will definitely need to add it to my collection! I’m so happy you enjoyed the concert and enjoyed your birthday! Happy weekend!
For some reason I’ve always been intimidated by making yeasted breads. It’s a hurdle I’m trying to overcome. When I saw that Ali had a new book out I figured it would be the best place to start. Thanks for sharing such a great review and recipe. Happy birthday month! There’s nothing like a concert to get that energizing zap. What a great way to get out and celebrate. Glad to hear the chickadees are thriving!
I hope you’ll give this one a go, Jean. It is really easy to make and a good one to start with if you’re a bit un easy! Ali gives detailed instructions and has some fabulous tips for new bread bakers! Thank you for your kind words too, and hooray for the chickadees! They’re at it again this morning – in and out of that box! :D
Really good to know about this cookbook and author! This looks like a wonderful bread. I’ve never tried the no-knead variety, probably because I’m old-fashioned and I love kneading!
Haha.. I’m with you Mimi.. I still knead bread regardless. But I find the no knead so easy when I’m short on time. There is something about working the dough that is meditative though. I think you’ll enjoy Ali’s blog and her new cookbook!
So glad you’re enjoying your birthday month! Mine is coming up next month. I don’t think a U2 concert is gonna happen for me, but that would be pretty awesome! This bread looks absolutely spectacular. I love Ali’s blog (and have for years!). Everything she does is just fabulous!
Oooo birthday month for you! So fun! Agreed on Ali’s blog.. an inspiring place to visit!
Oatmeal bread is my favorite! There was this bakery right down the street from where I used to live in DC and we could NEVER leave without a loaf of their amazing oatmeal bread. I’m definitely going to have to try this recipe!
Love it too Liz! I hope you’ll give it a go! It really is easy to make! :D