Honeyed Beet Oat Bran Bread (Bread Machine)

This honeyed beet oat bran bread turns a humble root vegetable into something truly special. The beets lend a subtle earthy sweetness and gorgeous color to the crumb, while honey and warm cinnamon-clove spices round out each bite.

With a blend of whole wheat flour, oat bran, and rolled oats, this loaf is hearty without being heavy. Golden raisins scattered throughout add little bursts of sweetness that play against the earthiness of the beets.

Just toss everything into your bread machine on the Oat/French setting and let it do the work. The result is a fragrant, tender loaf with a light golden crust that makes your whole kitchen smell like a bakery.

Kitchen Tips

• Drain the canned beets well and save the liquid. Warm the beet liquid and combine with water to reach the ½ cup plus 3 tablespoons total needed.
• Set your browning control to light to avoid over-darkening the crust, since the beet sugars and honey brown quickly.
• Vital wheat gluten helps the loaf rise properly with all the heavy whole grain flours. Do not skip it.

Variations

• Swap golden raisins for dried cranberries for a tangier, more colorful loaf.
• Replace cloves with a pinch of nutmeg for a softer, more mellow spice profile.
• Add 2 tablespoons of sunflower seeds at the beep for extra crunch.