Tavern Bread

These pleasantly flavored whole wheat loaves are easy to make, tasty and not a bit heavy.  They take very little time for yeast bread; with only one rising right in the pan and no shaping.   Against my better judgement, I made them in cans, as the recipe recommends.   If you use the cans, don’t use cooking spray; instead, grease very generously all over.  Even then, I had a hard time getting the loaves out of the cans.   Decorate with raffia twine or ribbon tied just under crease in the loaf for gift giving.  
I think when I make this recipe again it will be in small loaf pans for easier slicing.  And, I will make it again... my husband really, really liked these loaves, especially as toasted slices.              

                              Tavern Bread

  1        Teaspoon  Instant Coffee Granules

     ½   Cup  Water

  3        Tablespoons  Molasses

  1        Tablespoon  Honey

  2        Tablespoons  Salad Oil

  12      Ounces  Evaporated Milk

  1 ½   Cups  Whole Wheat Flour  (4 ounces)

  3        Cups  Flour, All-purpose – divided  (13 ½ ounces)

  2        Tablespoons  Oats -- regular, uncooked

  2        Teaspoons  Instant Yeast

  2        Teaspoons  Salt

     ¼   Teaspoon  Ground Ginger

Combine first 4 ingredients, heat until coffee dissolves.  Let cool to 120-125°.

Combine whole wheat flour, 1 cup of the all-purpose flour, oats, yeast, salt, ground ginger in large mixer bowl.

Add milk, salad oil and coffee mixture to mixer bowl.  

Beat at medium speed of electric mixer 1 minute.  Gradually add remaining 2 cups all-purpose flour, stirring with a wooden spoon or continuing to mix 2 minutes if you have a heavy duty mixer.

Divide dough into 4 well-greased 16 ounce cans (about 9 3/4 to 10 ounces of dough per can).  Let rise, uncovered, in a warm place until doubled (to top of can) (about 25-30 minutes).  Cover cans lightly with wax paper sprayed with cooking spray.  Remove paper before baking.

Bake at 350° for 30 minutes. Remove from cans immediately and let cool on wire racks.

  "Southern Living Big Book of Christmas Baking"

  "4 Loaves"