Homemade Brown Bread

I made this last night to go with our salads and our strawberry freezer jam. It's delicious. I think I'm going to have another piece right now.

1-1/2 cups boiling water
1-cup old-fashioned oats
2 tablespoons shortening
2 teaspoons salt
1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast
3/4-cup warm water (110° to 115°)
1/2-teaspoon sugar
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4-cup molasses
4-3/4 to 5-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
Melted butter or margarine



In a bowl, combine boiling water, oats, shortening and salt. Cool to 110°-115°. In a mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Sprinkle with sugar. Add oat mixture, brown sugar, molasses and 3 cups of flour; mix well. Add enough remaining flour to form soft dough. Turn onto a floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1. Hour. Punch dough down. Divide in half and shape into two loaves. Place in greased 9-in. x 5-in. x 3-in. loaf pans. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30-45 minutes. Bake at 375° for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pans to cool on wire racks. Brush with melted butter. Yield: 2 loaves.