Honey Wheat Cinnamon Oatmeal Raisin Banana Yeast Bread

Every time I make bread at my house (which seems to be constantly sometimes) I ask the Hungry Puppies what kind of bread they want this time.  Plain white, wheat, honey wheat, cinnamon raisin... This time, I created this delicious and hearty bread to please everyone.  A bit of banana doesn't overpower the flavor, wheat flour and oatmeal lend to the heartiness of this loaf, while the cinnamon and raisins bring a warmth and fruitiness to the bread.  I totally love this creation and knew I had to document it so I can repeat it in the future (or it will leave my mind forever).  This loaf is tender and moist, great for sandwiches or as toast.

Honey Wheat Cinnamon Oatmeal Raisin Banana Yeast Bread

1 1/2 cups warm water
1 egg
1 very ripe banana
1/4 cup oil
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup dry  milk powder
1/2 cup mashed potato flakes
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 cup oatmeal
1 1/2 cups wheat flour
2 cups white flour (plus more if necessary)
1 Tablespoon active dry yeast
1/2 cup raisins

In the pan of your bread machine (or using a stand mixer) combine all of the ingredients and set the machine for the dough cycle (or run the mixer until a soft dough forms).  If the dough is too sticky during kneading, add flour, a tablespoon at a time until the dough is tacky.  After the dough cycle has finished (or the bread has risen for about 1 hour), turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead one or two times to remove any air bubbles.  

Grease 2 8x4 inch loaf pans (or 1 8x4 and 1 9x5 loaf pan, which is what I do).  Divide the dough in half and shape each half into a loaf (if using an 8x4 and a 9x5, make one loaf a bit larger than the other).  Place the formed loaves in the prepared loaf pans.  Cover with plastic wrap and let rise until dough comes about 1 inch over the top of the pan, about 30 minutes.  

Preheat the oven to 350F.  Bake the loaves for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown.  Remove from the oven and turn loaves out of the pans immediately.  Let bread cool on a wire.  Makes 2 loaves.

Enjoy!  -Cardamommy