Apple and Oat Bread

Posted on August 10, 2011 by cityhippyfarmgirl

I quite like the process of trying to work out what to put in a new bread every few weeks.

There are the regulars of course, like a well worn pair of slippers that I know how to just slip on. Making it is straight forward, I can easily do it with out that much thought behind it, and I know for the most part how it’s going to taste (sourdough does like to keep me on my toes a little though.) When I’m fiddling with different flavours though, I like the balancing act, the unknown factor…

It’s a bit like ordering from a menu in a foreign language. You think you get the idea of what it will taste like, and what it is that you might be ordering but there is always that element of surprise just waiting to be brought to the table.

Now in the past, I had played with using fresh apples a few times. I had cooked them beforehand, thinly sliced them, made them into chunks, grated them, but I think I’ve decided I like finely diced the most. You still get the apple-y taste, without it getting soggy and overly all apple. Grating the apple, while I like the moistness it gives to the loaf, I do find by doing this it loses the flavour a bit. So diced it was for this one, add some soaked oats, a little spice and we are away…

Apple and Oat Bread

200g starter

100g finely diced apple

425g bakers flour

100g whole oats

50mls hot water

200mls water

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp coriander

1 tsp salt

Soak oats in the hot water until they plump up. Add all ingredients except salt. Mix well, let if it rest for about 40 minutes, add the salt mix again.

Proof for awhile, quick knead, proof, shape, proof. Bake at 240C with steam.

This post submitted to yeastspotting.

37 thoughts on “Apple and Oat Bread”

Celia on August 10, 2011 at 4:11 pm said:

Brydie, your slashing is just getting better with every loaf! This one looks truly superb – I love how evenly it’s opened…

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- cityhippyfarmgirl on August 11, 2011 at 1:35 pm said:
  
  Ah not always 🙂 I still do a dodgy slash now and then.
  
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teawithhazel on August 10, 2011 at 4:22 pm said:

what a loaf..it looks amazing and i love the apple and oat thing..jane

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- cityhippyfarmgirl on August 11, 2011 at 1:35 pm said:
  
  Thanks Jane.
  
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Bruisemouse on August 10, 2011 at 4:44 pm said:

This one looks amazing and I bet the aroma of the apple and cinnamon filled the house as it was baking. Another one for the To Do list.
I’m getting the starter started today.

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- cityhippyfarmgirl on August 11, 2011 at 1:36 pm said:
  
  It does smell lovely, even when you toast it, it still lets out the aromas. Good luck with the starter!
  
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Tandy on August 10, 2011 at 6:06 pm said:

I am going to try an apple bread when I get home 🙂

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- cityhippyfarmgirl on August 11, 2011 at 1:37 pm said:
  
  I hope you like it Tandy
  
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thecompletecookbook on August 10, 2011 at 7:18 pm said:

What a superb idea for a recipe – your loaf looks lovely!
🙂 Mandy

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- cityhippyfarmgirl on August 11, 2011 at 1:37 pm said:
  
  Thanks Mandy.
  
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turid on August 10, 2011 at 7:54 pm said:

Saving this recipe! I need some inspiration in my cooking asap. You blog is perfect for that.

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- cityhippyfarmgirl on August 11, 2011 at 1:38 pm said:
  
  Your blog is inspiring me to give a whole bunch of love into my pots this spring.
  
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Kari @ bite-sized thoughts on August 10, 2011 at 10:35 pm said:

This looks like a bread I could eat at any time of day, in large quantities! I like your description of playing around with ingredients too…it is a very particular but also rewarding sort of experience.

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- cityhippyfarmgirl on August 11, 2011 at 1:39 pm said:
  
  Deadly with peanut butter slapped on to it Kari… at any time of day.
  
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Joanna on August 10, 2011 at 11:30 pm said:

Looks lovely! I can smell that gorgeous dark crust from here. Do you find it keeps better with the oats in? Dan always says oats give a lasting quality to the bread. Makes note: make more oat bread…. 🙂

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- cityhippyfarmgirl on August 11, 2011 at 1:42 pm said:
  
  It does Joanna. I find when ever I put oats in, it really does give a lasting moistness. It never lasts a whole week, (not eating it that is) but I’m sure it would be fine. Today I think was Day 5, and not a hint of being stale.
  
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Rufus' Food and Spirits Guide on August 11, 2011 at 12:09 am said:

I quite looking at what you do with bread. This sounds fabulous.

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- cityhippyfarmgirl on August 11, 2011 at 1:43 pm said:
  
  Trade you for some home grown tomatoes?
  
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heidi on August 11, 2011 at 12:32 am said:

this does look quite fine! I love apples where ever I find them.
I’m going to follow your lead and make some bread with apples, and applesauce and walnuts and oats. I like the extra flavor apple sauce adds- and them I think I will smear apple butter on top and ear it for tea- tomorrow- I have to finish the scones first!

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- cityhippyfarmgirl on August 11, 2011 at 1:44 pm said:
  
  I’ve never used apple sauce before…actually come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve tasted apple butter before either 🙂
  
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drfugawe on August 11, 2011 at 2:41 am said:

I like the structure of your formula – looks very balanced. I’ll try it – and the only change I know I’ll make is that I’ll use it to use up some of the overload of dried apples I’ve got in the pantry.

Nice job with this one.

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- cityhippyfarmgirl on August 11, 2011 at 1:45 pm said:
  
  Thanks Doc. I hope it works for you.
  
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Wendy on August 11, 2011 at 6:58 am said:

That is one cracking loaf! I’m having a love affair with apples too, including a trial of diced apples with walnut and pecan loaf – tasted good, but didn’t look as ‘pro’ as yours!

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cityhippyfarmgirl on August 11, 2011 at 1:47 pm said:

Thanks Wendy 🙂 Nuts and apples just work well together don’t they.

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Christine on August 11, 2011 at 5:41 pm said:

Looking delicious! I really want to try fresh apple in bread, I’ve only tried dried, which was good for a fruit loaf but did not introduce any moisture, duh! Interesting to get your appl-ey perspective. This apple bread of yours would be my 10pm toasting snack! 😉

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- cityhippyfarmgirl on August 13, 2011 at 7:59 am said:
  
  It’s too easy to toast at 10pm isn’t it. It used to be cereal o’clock time for me, but I’m finding it’s now toast o’clock!
  
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Choclette on August 12, 2011 at 3:33 pm said:

Superb. I love your bread experiments and adding fresh apple sounds such a brilliant one. What with all the talk of scones at the moment and now your apple bread, I’m in the mood for apple scones 🙂

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- cityhippyfarmgirl on August 13, 2011 at 7:59 am said:
  
  apple scones eh?…I think that is definitely a go-er!
  
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kitchengeisha on August 12, 2011 at 10:27 pm said:

Absolutely beautiful!! I can’t wait to try this! Do you happen to know the hydration % of your starter? I have one at 200% hydration and one at 76% hydration, each can easily be fed up or down to a specific ratio.

Again, beautiful!

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- cityhippyfarmgirl on August 13, 2011 at 8:00 am said:
  
  Thank you kitchen geisha 🙂 My starter is at 100% hydration.
  
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Stephanie @ Dessert Before Dinner on August 13, 2011 at 2:36 am said:

This bread looks fantastic. It is definitely on my to do list now. About how long did it take to proof and what hydration was the starter? 100% i’m assuming?

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- cityhippyfarmgirl on August 13, 2011 at 8:03 am said:
  
  Thanks for visiting Stephanie. Starter is at 100%, and the couple of proofs took all day, as it was about 17C in the kitchen that day.
  
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C on August 13, 2011 at 5:43 am said:

I love the idea of adding fresh apple to a bread in little chunks rather than grating. I bet this had a lovely complex flavour with the sourdough there too. I like adding oats to bread, I don’t really know whether it makes them last longer as I freeze all my bread, but I’ll take your word for it.

Beautiful loaf too!

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- cityhippyfarmgirl on August 13, 2011 at 8:04 am said:
  
  Thanks C. I really do love adding oats into the loaf!
  
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Johanna GGG on August 13, 2011 at 9:35 pm said:

I love the dark crust on this bread. I have found apple challenging to put in cakes – often comes out differently depending on the recipe but never tried it in bread – yet I can see the appeal and have even considered it before.

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Richard Elliot on August 14, 2011 at 7:28 am said:

I love the flavour of apple. I’d seen the apple and oat bread in my Bourke St Bakery book and it is definitely on my list to try. So many combinations and not enough time!

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Maria @ Scandifoodie on August 15, 2011 at 4:51 am said:

This is gorgeous with all the spice! I made an apple bread too recently and just love the flavour it adds to savoury bread.

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