SWEET POTATO APRICOT OATMEAL BREAD

Sweet Potato Apricot Oatmeal Bread image

Provided by Tiffany Bannworth

Time 4h35m

Number Of Ingredients 16

4 1/2 c flour
1 1/2 c wheat flour
1 1/2 c oats, soaked in warm water
1 1/2 c water, warm
1/2 c milk
1 1/4 Tbsp active dry yeast
1/2 tsp vanilla
2 Tbsp honey
1/2 c oil
2 Tbsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
2 Tbsp flaxseeds (optional)
1 c diced apricots (fresh, if dry soak in water for 30 minutes)
1 large sweet potato (diced finely, bring to boil, then turn off heat and allow to soak for 30 min)
flour to toss apricots and sweet potatoes
oatmeal to sprinkle atop loaves

Steps:

1. In a large measuring cup, place warm water and honey. Mix well. Then add milk. Mix. Finally whisk in yeast, making sure there are no clumps. Let sit for 15 minutes.
2. In a mixing bowl, add flours, salt, and spices. (optionally flaxseeds). Pour in yeast, and stir. Then add moist oatmeal. Stir. Lastly add apricots and sweet potatoes that have previously been tossed in flour. (reserve the sweet potato water to rub on dough in later steps)
3. Dump out mixture on floured surface. Knead, adding flour as needed. Not too much. Knead for about 5-8 minutes.
4. Place in a large pot that has been sprayed with non-stick spray. Place cover atop.
5. Let sit in a warm environment for 1 hour.
6. Then punch out dough lightly (degas). Spread out. Then fold in thirds (like an envelope). Turn dough around and fold again three times. Place back in pot and let rise for 1 hour.
7. Cut into 3 pieces. Firstly, roughly shape into a loaf. Place in 3 greased loaf pans. Paint top with sweet potato water lightly and sprinkle oats. Then cover again and let rest for 90 minutes.
8. Preheat the oven to 450. Place the loaves in the center rack of the oven. After 5 minutes, reduce the oven temperature to 375. Rotate the loaves 180 degrees after 20 minutes, and bake for another 15 to 25 minutes, until the tops of the loaves are nicely browned, the bottoms of the loaves make a hollow sound when tapped.
9. Allow to cool before slicing. Enjoy!