Let’s say, hypothetically speaking, that you regularly read my blog and see bread recipes but are too scared to try them because they have yeast and look complicated. Hypothetically speaking, you’ve heard how hard yeast breads are to make and how they require so much time and you have to get the dough just right and it’s more effort than you want to make. You’ll just stick with banana and zucchini bread, thank you very much. But let’s say, hypothetically speaking, that today I show you an easy yeast bread for beginners that involved mixing the ingredients together (with no kneading!), letting them sit for 30 minutes, and then plopping the bread into your oven only to have it turn into a beautiful, golden loaf 40 minutes later? Wouldn’t that be great? Hypothetically speaking?

easy yeast bread for beginners
from www.101cookbooks.com

1 1/4 cups warm water (105-115F)
2 1/4 tsp instant dry yeast (one packet)
1 tbsp honey (if crystalized, heat until runny)
1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour (I used white whole wheat flour and preferred that)
1 cup rolled oats (not instant oats)
1 1/2 tsp fine grain sea salt
2 tbsp butter, melted, for brushing

In a medium bowl, mix all the ingredients except the butter and stir well.

Brush an 9x5x3-inch loaf pan generously with some of the melted butter. Turn the dough into the pan, cover with a clean, slightly damp cloth, and set in a warm place for 30 minutes, to rise.

Preheat the oven to 350F with a rack in the middle. When ready, bake the bread for 35-40 minutes, until golden and pulling away from the sides of the pan. Remove from oven, and turn the bread out of the pan quickly. Let it cool on a rack so it doesn’t steam in the pan. Coat the top with more melted butter. Serve warm, slathered with butter and a spoonful of jam.