Description
A delightful loaf that blends sweet honey and tangy buttermilk, resulting in a soft texture and rich flavor, perfect for any meal.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon yeast (or 1 packet)
- 1 pinch powdered ginger
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/4 cup warm water (105°F to 110°F)
- 2 cups cultured buttermilk (also warm)
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt (or 3/4 teaspoon if using table salt)
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 6 cups bread flour (or all-purpose flour)
- 1/4 cup melted butter (cooled to warm touch)
Instructions
- In a medium-sized bowl, mix the yeast, ginger, sugar, and 110°F water. Allow it to sit for 5 minutes or until it becomes foamy.
- Whisk together the buttermilk, honey, salt, and baking soda in a separate bowl. Then, add this mixture to the yeast mixture.
- Gradually mix in three cups of flour until smooth; this takes about 3 to 5 minutes on low speed using a stand mixer.
- Pour in the melted butter, ensuring it fully incorporates into the batter.
- Incrementally add the rest of the flour, one cup at a time, while keeping the mixer on low speed.
- When the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl, transfer it to a lightly floured surface. Knead until it’s elastic and smooth.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, turning to coat the top lightly with grease. Cover the bowl with a clean tea towel and let it rise for 1.5 hours or until doubled in size.
- Once risen, punch down the dough and shape it into two loaves. Place each loaf in a greased pan with the seam side down. Grease the tops lightly and cover.
- Allow the bread to rise in a warm place for 45 minutes, nearing the tops of the pans.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- Bake for 30 minutes, tenting with foil if the tops brown too quickly.
- After baking, brush the tops with melted butter and place them on a cooling rack.
- Allow to cool in the pans for 10 minutes before loosening the edges with a knife. Turn out and cool completely on a rack, covering the loaves if you prefer a soft crust.
Notes
Ensure your ingredients are at the right temperatures before combining. Warm ingredients activate yeast effectively, resulting in a light loaf.
