White Sandwich Bread with Hidden Oats for Fibre

When a summer picnic with your grandchild calls for white bread sandwiches, and you only have whole grain bread in the freezer, this sandwich loaf comes to the rescue.

My son texted me today and asked if I want to go to High Park, see the animals, and have a picnic with my granddaughter. I said, "Do I ever! and I'll make the food!" My granddaughter is not yet 2 years old. She likes peanut butter sandwiches. I need to satisfy her healthy lunch enjoyment!

This sandwich bread has all the elements of the bread you remember as a kid, but more fibre and nutrition. Guess what? Nobody knows.

White Sandwich Bread with Hidden Oats for Fiber

1 1/4 cups whole milk, warmed

2 ¼ teaspoons or a package active dry yeast

1 large egg, beaten

1 tablespoon organic cane sugar

1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon fine salt

2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, or more as needed

½ cup rolled oats, coarsely ground

3 tablespoons unsalted butter, very soft

For the Top:

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, or as needed

1 tablespoons milk

1 tablespoon sesame seeds, optional

1. Pour warm milk into a bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook. Sprinkle yeast on top and let dissolve until a few small bubbles begin to a form, 10 to 15 minutes.

2. Add beaten egg, sugar, apple cider vinegar, baking soda, salt, flour, ground whole oats, and butter.

3. Knead on low speed until dough begins to come together.

4. Increase speed slightly and knead about 3 minutes more. Use a spatula to scrape the sides clean and gather the dough into the centre. The dough should be sticky.

5. Cover and let rise until doubled in volume, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

6. Grease a spatula and a loaf pan.

7. Scrape the dough into the pan using the spatula. Smooth out the top to distribute dough evenly. Dust the top with flour and press gently to even out the dough.

8. Let rise in pan for 30 minutes.

9. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

10.Use a sharp knife or razor to cut a deep slash lengthwise through the center of the loaf. You may need to go over it several times.

11.Brush the top with milk and sprinkle with sesame seeds, if using

12.Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, about 30 minutes.

13.Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn it out onto a wire rack to cool for at least 1 hour before slicing.

TIP: Warm the milk in the microwave, just around 30 seconds until it feels just warm to the touch. Or you can use a small saucepan.