Add oatmeal to hot milk and let stand for 2 hours.
In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm water. Stir in the salt, egg, honey, shortening, oatmeal, and 5 cups of flour. Stir until well combined. If the dough is too wet, add more flour until it’s smooth.
Divide evenly into two 9×5 loaf pans or form into two balls and on a parchment-paper lined sheet. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size (about an hour). To make the topping, stir together the milk and water. Brush each loaf with the milk and then sprinkle evenly over each loaf the oatmeal.