Oatmeal Bread

I am a carb-o-holic. I can't get enough bread, muffins, cookies, cereal, bagels, cake... If it is a carb, I want it. And I want it now.

Since I've been on maternity leave, I've been carbo-loading big time. As I've mentioned many times, PB&J and peanut butter & Fluffernutter sandwiches are a couple of my guiltiest pleasures. My favorite bread for said sammies costs a pretty penny at the bakery, so I decided to make my own on the cheap.

I busted out my bread machine and set to work. By "work" I mean layering ingredients and pushing the start button. It was actually quite easy. Three hours later, the sweet smell of freshly baked bread wafted from my kitchen. I sliced thick slabs and made myself a particularly glorious peanut butter and strawberry jam sandwich. It was all I hoped and more.

Oatmeal Bread
From West Bend
Makes one 1.5 pound loaf

9 ounces warm milk (80 degrees) (This is 1 cup + 2 tablespoons.)
2 tablespoons butter
2 1/2 cups bread flour
3/4 cup oats (Use quick cooking or old fashioned oats. Do NOT use instant oatmeal.)
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 teaspoons bread machine yeast

Layer all of the ingredients in your bread maker in the order listed. Use the "basic" function to make one 1.5 loaf.

Giveaway:Win a West Bend Bread Maker!

The holidays are upon us, and we are thrilled to be giving an early present to one lucky Hot Dinner Happy Home reader: a fabulous Hi-Rise Bread Maker from local Wisconsin company, West Bend!

The holiday season is such a nostalgic, cozy time of year. While the skies darken early and snowflakes begin to fall, your home dances with light. Trees sparkle, candles flicker, fires crackle. Holiday magic fills the air as you scheme perfect presents for your loved ones. Families laugh together as they decorate Christmas cookies; no one minds the dusting of flour on the kitchen floor. Everyone is filled with kindness; strangers sharing smiles as they pick poinsettias, neighbors lending a hand to clear walkways of snow. It is the most wonderful time of the year.

And what conjures the feeling of "home for the holidays" more than the scent of freshly baked bread wafting from the kitchen? I can't think of a thing.

To enter the West Bend Hi-Rise Bread Maker giveaway, simply leave a comment on this post telling us your favorite holiday tradition. Earn a bonus entry for "liking" West Bend on Facebook. Earn another bonus entry for "liking" Hot Dinner Happy Home on Facebook. (Let us know about your Facebook "likes" when you leave a comment. And you certainly get that bonus entry if you're already a fan!) So, you get up to three chances to win: 1) leave a comment, 2) "like" West Bend on Facebook, and 3) "like" Hot Dinner Happy Home on Facebook.

The contest starts now and ends at midnight (Pacific Time) on Friday, December 9, 2011. The winner of the bread maker will be chosen at random and announced on Monday, December 12, 2011.

Happy holidays and GOOD LUCK!
Erin & the Lady of the House

P.S. If you have any questions about the contest or the West Bend Hi-Rise Bread Maker, feel free to email us at hotdinnerhappyhome@gmail.com.

This contest is now closed. Thanks for entering!

You must be 18 years old and a resident of the United States to enter this contest.