Conquering the Craving: How to DIY Subway Honey Oat Bread (Because #Adulting)
Let's face it, folks. Sometimes, the siren song of Subway's honey oat bread is just too strong to resist. But who wants to drop hard-earned cash on a sandwich when you can become a baking boss and create your own masterpiece? Not this intrepid home chef, that's for sure.
So, ditch the delivery app and dust off your mixing bowl. We're about to embark on a journey to homemade honey oat bread glory!
Gather Your Arsenal (a.k.a Ingredients)
Here's what you'll need to transform your kitchen into a haven of warm, yeasty goodness:
- Flour Power:
- 5.5 cups of all-purpose flour (we're keeping things approachable, people).
- Bonus points for having some whole wheat flour on hand to add a touch of heartiness.
- The Sweet Squad:
- A healthy dose of honey (because duh, it's honey oat bread).
- Sugar (to play backup and help with browning).
- The Rise and Shine Brigade:
- Active dry yeast (the magic ingredient that makes your bread all puffy and delightful).
- Warm water (lukewarm, not scalding, yeast is a fussy diva).
- The Flavor Brigade:
- Salt (a must-have to balance out all that sweetness).
- Eggs (for binding and a touch of richness).
- The Oattitude (See what I did there?):
- Quick-cooking oats (because we're all about efficiency here).
- Old-fashioned rolled oats (for that signature oat-y texture).
Pro Tip: Don't forget a little bit of oil to grease your bowl. A dry bowl is a sad bowl, and we don't want any weeping dough.
Bringing it all Together: Dough Time!
Now that you've assembled your ingredients, let's get down to business.
- The Floury Foundation: In a large bowl, whisk together your flours (and that bonus whole wheat flour if you're feeling fancy).
- Sweet Dreams are Made of This: Add the honey, sugar, and that precious yeast. Give it a good stir to combine.
- H2Whoa There: Slowly pour in the warm water, mixing until a shaggy dough forms.
- The Salt of the Earth: Sprinkle in some salt and knead it in with all your might (or until your arms feel like they're about to fall off).
- Introducing the Eggcellent Crew: Crack those eggs in and keep kneading that dough until it's smooth and elastic. Think therapy ball, not tired Play-Doh.
- Oat-standing Addition: Now for the good stuff! Add both the quick-cooking oats and the rolled oats, and knead them in until they're evenly distributed.
Look at you go! You've just created a beautiful ball of honey oat dough. Give yourself a pat on the back (and maybe a high five because you deserve it).
Patience is a Virtue (Especially When It Comes to Bread)
- Give it a Rest: Place your dough ball in a greased bowl, cover it with plastic wrap, and find a warm spot for it to rise. Think cozy nook, not arctic tundra. Let it rise for about an hour, or until it doubles in size.
- Punch Down the Party: Once your dough is all puffed up, give it a good punch to deflate it. We're not being aggressive, just assertive.
- Shaping Up: Divide your dough into 8 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a log or oblong shape, depending on your desired loaf size.
- Second Rise is the Best Rise: Place your shaped dough on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, cover them loosely, and let them rise again for another 30 minutes.
Basically, you're creating an army of miniature honey oat loaves. Soon, they will conquer hunger!
The Grand Finale: Baking Time!
- Preheat Party: Crank your oven up to 375°F (190°C).
- Egg Wash, Because Fancy: In a small bowl, whisk together an egg white with a splash of water. Brush this delightful concoction over the tops of your loaves.
- Oat-tastic Topping: Sprinkle some more rolled oats on
