Oatmeal Pan Bread

I found this recipe quite a few years ago in an old Taste of Home book. It is a quick way to make homemade bread/rolls, and they taste great.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups boiling water

1 cup quick oats (or old-fashioned oats) I have used both

2 packages yeast

1/2 cup warm water

1/4 cup sugar

3 Tablespoons butter

2 teaspoons salt

1 egg

4 1/2 cups flour

Topping:

1/4 cup butter, melted

2 Tablespoons Parmesan cheese

1 teaspoon basil

1/2 teaspoon oregano

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Dissolve the yeast and sugar in water . Let it proof for a couple of minutes. Add salt, butter, the egg, and 2 cups of flour. Mix together. 

 Meanwhile, boil 1 1/2 cups of water. Add the oatmeal. Stir the oatmeal in the first mixture. 

Add remaining flour and mix until a soft dough forms. Knead for 6-8 minutes. 

Cover and let sit in a warm place for about 45 minutes, or until doubled. 

Punch the dough down. Spray a 9X13 inch pan with cooking spray. Press the dough in the pan. Using a sharp knife, cut lines completely through the dough. See picture below. 

Cover and let rise in a warm place for about 45 minutes, or until reaching close to the top of the pan. 

Spread melted butter over the dough and bake for 15 minutes at 375 degrees. 

Meanwhile, mix the cheese and herbs. Place the herbs and cheese on top of the bread after it has baked for 15 minutes. Bake bread for another 5 minutes. 

Then place a piece of tinfoil over the bread and let it bake for a final 5 minutes. (25 minutes total baking)

This reminds me a lot of pizza bread. The boys liked eating it with pizza sauce. It would probably be really good with cut-up pieces of pepperoni baked in it as well.