Buttermilk Honey Bread slices beautifully and has a slight tang from the buttermilk and a sweetness from the honey that ordinary white bread doesn't have.
The crust on this buttermilk honey bread is chewy and firm, but not at all tough. The tender interior crumb is light and airy yet and had great substance and structure.
When sliced and toasted, you'll feel like you just bit off a little piece of heaven on earth. Can I get an Amen to that?!!
Jump to:
- The ingredient list:
- Why use buttermilk in bread baking?
- How long does buttermilk honey bread take to make?
- How can you tell if a loaf of bread is cooked in the center?
- Can I knead the dough by hand or do I need a stand mixer and dough hook?
- For instructions on the proper hand-kneading technique, here's a quick video for you to watch;
- Hand Kneading versus Machine Kneading;
- Additional Tip for kneading Buttermilk Honey Bread dough with a stand mixer:
- For additional "Twelve Loaves" bread baker club recipes:
- The step-by-step photo instructions:
- Printable Recipe Card
The ingredient list:
- Active Dry Yeast
- Granulated Sugar
- Warm Water
- Buttermilk or Homemade Buttermilk Alternative
- Butter
- Honey
- Salt
- All-Purpose Flour
Why use buttermilk in bread baking?
Using buttermilk in baked goods brings out a tanginess in flavor, and also makes for a more tender interior. Using buttermilk in bread baking specifically makes the dough rise faster, and gives it better body than regular milk would.
How long does buttermilk honey bread take to make?
- From start to finish this bread will take approximately 3 hours, maybe a little more, maybe a little less (not including cooling time).
- Approximately 15 minutes to prepare the dough.
- 60 minutes for the first rise.
- Approximately 15 minutes to shape the dough.
- 60 minutes for the second rise.
- Approximately 30-35 minutes to bake.
- Cooling time will depend on how long your willpower holds out.
How can you tell if a loaf of bread is cooked in the center?
The easiest way is to remove the loaf from the pan (use oven mitts), turn it upside down, and tap on the bottom of the loaf. If it has a hollow sound, the loaf is cooked. If it has more of a dull thud, it needs more time in the oven.
Can I knead the dough by hand or do I need a stand mixer and dough hook?
By all means, if you'd prefer kneading the dough by hand, please do.
For instructions on the proper hand-kneading technique, here's a quick video for you to watch;
Hand Kneading versus Machine Kneading;
Additional Tip for kneading Buttermilk Honey Bread dough with a stand mixer:
- When kneading bread with a stand mixer, always use the dough hook, and always knead the dough for longer than you think you need to.
- For this Buttermilk Honey Bread, knead the dough at least 7 - 10 minutes.
For additional "Twelve Loaves" bread baker club recipes:
- Pear and Walnut Sticky Buns
- Apple Cinnamon Whole Wheat Bagels
- Savory Ginger Pumpkin Spice Bread
- Sweet and Savory Garlic Yeast Rolls
- Greek Lemon Oregano Pita Bread
- Flaky Blueberry Cheese Danish
The step-by-step photo instructions:
When you make this recipe, and I hope you do, I'd appreciate it if you'd take a moment to leave a star rating on the recipe card and briefly comment on why you rated it as you did. FYI - Google appreciates recipe ratings and, in turn, will share my recipes with more people. Thank you so much!!
Printable Recipe Card
Buttermilk Honey Bread
Ingredients
- 3½ teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- ¾ cup warm water warm to the touch, not hot
- 1½ cups buttermilk or buttermilk alternative
- 3 tablespoons butter melted
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 6½ cups all-purpose flour plus additional for kneading
Instructions
- In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in the warm water. Add the sugar and allow the mixture to sit and get foamy (about 5 minutes).
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, combine the buttermilk, honey, 2 tablespoons butter and the yeast mixture.
- Add 2 cups of flour and the salt to the bowl. Blend with the dough hook until the mixture is sticky and wet
- Add in the remaining flour and mix with the dough hook on medium speed for 7-10 minutes.
- Remove the dough from the bowl and spray the bowl with cooking spray.
- Put the dough back into the bowl and spray the top of the dough with cooking spray.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place the bowl in a warm place (in the oven with the light turned on is perfect) until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.
- Punch the dough down to deflate, and divide it into two equal pieces.
- Roll and form each half by hand into an evenly shaped loaf and place each half into a 9x5 loaf pan that has been sprayed with cooking spray.
- Allow the loaves to rise again in a warm, draft-free place until doubled in volume (about 50 minutes).
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Bake the loaves for about 30-35 minutes or until nicely golden and they sound hollow when tapped.
- Once baked brush the tops of the loaves with the reserved 1 tablespoon butter.
- Remove the loaves from the pans and allow to cool for about 30 minutes and then you're ready to slice and serve.
Nutrition
There now...I'll bet that got a "rise" out of you! Bread humor! LOL
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Sarah says
I love how you say that the cooling time is as long as you can hold out! That is so true!!
Renée says
LOL. When freshly baked bread is involved, there's not much chance the loaf will be fully cooled before it's sliced and eaten.
Noelle says
This bread is perfect with some honey butter or some cinnamon sugar! A sweet breakfast treat! Thanks for the great share 🙂
Renée says
Oh man! You got that right!! Thanks, Noelle!
marloreneephotography says
Did you forget the honey in the directions?
Renee Goerger says
Your 100% correct, and I apologize for my error.
The honey is added into step two with the buttermilk, butter and yeast.
I've adjusted the recipe and also the print out. Thank you so much for bringing this error to my attention. I'm surprised I hadn't heard from someone before now. I do hope you'll try and enjoy this delicious bread. Please let me know if you do and how you like it! Thanks again!
Renee
Shawn says
Hi! I made this bread today and it was amazing! I used "bread flour" instead of AP flour, but not sure if that made any difference. Thanks for the recipe-I am keeping it on my Pinterest board!
Renee Goerger says
Hi Shawn! Thank you so much for you comments and for loving this recipe as I do. I'm so glad you had success with it. I really appreciate you letting me know. Thanks again.
Renee
Dionne Baldwin says
MMM buttermilk honey bread! It sounds as though this has the moist-ness of a white bread but with flavor! This would be perfect for the French toast that I am craving. 🙂 Thank you for baking this beautiful bread to share with us.
Holly says
Not one but two beautiful loaves of bread! I like the thought of buttermilk with honey and I never seem to have it on hand either. Glad to hear that making it with milk and vinegar worked well. I have only used lemon juice but always have vinegar in the pantry so thanks for the tip!
Renee Goerger says
Thank you Liz. I really enjoy making this recipe. It's so easy and very rewarding!
Happy New Year to you too!
Renee Goerger says
You simply must try buttermilk in breads, Renee. The flavor is incredible!
Happy New Year to you also!
Renee Goerger says
*Forehead slap*
Why didn't I think of serving mine with honey butter??? Brilliant idea Alice!
Next time!
Happy New Year!
Renee Goerger says
I've heard that before that Europe doesn't use buttermilk. I think YOU should spearhead a new trend Rossella! LOL Especially since you can make your own so easily!
Happy New Year to you too, Twelve Loaves Mate!
Renee Goerger says
Thank you Stacy. I made 4 loaves in the past month and served 2 for our family's Christmas Eve dinner. They're definitely company worthy loaves 🙂
Renee Goerger says
Hi Karen, the first time I made this bread, I thought I had buttermilk but didn't so I made my own. The second time I made it, I never even planned on using store bought buttermilk because the homemade worked so beautifully! Happy New Year to you also!
Renee Goerger says
Thank you Lora. I'm glad you think so too. I really is a wonderful recipe. Happy New Year!
Renee Goerger says
So do I Anne. Being a part of Twelve Loaves has been such a joy and I can't wait to see what 2014 holds for all of us bread lovers 🙂
Renee Goerger says
Thank you so much. This is a wonderful recipe. I've made this bread twice in the past month and it never failed me. I hope you enjoy it and Happy New Year!
All That's Left Are The Crumbs says
What a delicious looking bread! I have made a buttermilk honey bread before but in my bread machine and it did not turn out anywhere as good as this - obviously I had the wrong recipe :). I am looking forward to trying this soon and baking it in a loaf pan. Wishing you a happy 2014!
AnneFromMySweetHeart says
Oh Renee....this bread is such a beauty! I can think of nothing so exquisitely simple as honey and buttermilk and bread! Beautiful texture and I wish I could taste! Happy new year! I look forward to baking together this year! : )
Lora CakeDuchess says
Buttermilk and honey sounds divine and your bread is just perfect, Renee. Love its simplicity for our Keep it Simple theme this month! Happy New Year!
Karen says
That bread looks so fluffy and soft! Good idea on making your own buttermilk. Happy New Year!
Stacy says
I love the buttermilk and honey combination, Reneé! A little sweet and a little tangy too. Sounds like the perfect bread!
Rossella DB says
I wonder why here in Italy we aren't used to buttermilk. It makes excellent breads like your.
Happy New Year Twelve Loaves mate!
Alice Choi says
oh this buttermilk honey bread looks absolutely delicious. . I want some!! slathered with honey butter!!! yum! Happy New Year!!
01VanillaBean01 says
This is a breakfast that I would look forward to eating almost every morning. Best wishes for a fabulous New Year Renee, personally and professionally.
Renee Dobbs says
Buttermilk does wonders for flavor and texture. I've not used it in bread yet however I see that changing very soon. Happy New Year to you Renee!
Liz says
The flavor and texture of this bread sounds marvelous!! Happy New Year, Renee!!!