1 1/2 c. boiling water
1 c. oats
3/4 c. honey
3 tbsp. soft butter
2 tsp. salt
1 pkg. dry yeast
2 c. lukewarm water
8-10 c. unbleached white flour
butter

In large bowl, pour boiling water over the oats. Let stand 30 minutes. Add the honey, soft butter and salt. Dissolve the yeast in the warm water and add to oat mixture. Using wooden spoon stir in about 8 cups of flour, then keep adding flour until the dough is holding together in a ball and not sticking to the bowl.

Dust a board or countertop lightly with flour, turn the dough onto the surface and knead it until it is a smooth ball. Place dough in large bowl that has been greased with butter. Turn dough to grease top side. Cover bowl with damp towel or napkin and let rise in warm place for 1 hour.

Turn onto clean, flour-dusted surface and knead. Divide dough into 3 loaves and place in well greased loaf pans. Cover again and let rise for 45 minutes.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees and bake the loaves for 5 minutes. Lower the heat to 350 degrees and bake 40 minutes longer or until the loaves sound hollow when tapped with a knife. Cool on a wire rack. Brush the tops of the warm loaves with butter for a soft crust. Makes 3 loaves.