Oatmeal Molasses Bread

5 cups water (warm)
2 Tbsp salt
2 Tbsp vital wheat gluten (for whole wheat flour)
1 cup sugar or honey
3/4 cup applesauce or oil
2 eggs
1/3 cup molasses
4 cups oats (I use quick)
3 Tbsp yeast
4 cups whole wheat flour
5 cups white flour (about)

Put ingredients together in order stopping after oats mix together then add the ww flour and yeast mix for 1 min then let rest for 1 min to let yeast start, continue mixing in the white flour one cup at a time until dough doesn't stick to the sides anymore and mix for 10 min. then cover and let rise to double in bowl. Once doubled punch it down and knead on a floured surface into loaves and put in greased pans. Cover with plastic wrap sprayed with pam so they don't dry out and let rise again to desired loaf size. Preheat oven at 400 degrees then turn down heat to 325 degrees just before placing loaves in the oven and bake for 33 min. When done brush tops of loaves with butter and turn out on a wire cooling rack. Do not bag until cool or they will sweat in the bag. This makes 4 loaves but don't worry they freeze well and you can just pull one out when you need it! Note: I have done this with all white flour too and you just omit the vital gluten, enjoy!

Recipe from Rachel Hanchett