Buttermilk Honey Bread

Recipe by comfortofcooking.blogspot.com

• Ready In: 45 mins
• Serves: 12

Ingredients

• 1⁄4 cup warm water, plus
• 2  tablespoons warm water
• 1⁄2 tablespoon instant yeast
• 1⁄2 teaspoon sugar
• 3⁄4 cup buttermilk, brought to room temp
• 1  tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
• 1 1⁄2 tablespoons honey, warmed until runny
• 1⁄2 tablespoon salt
• 3 -3 3⁄4 cups all-purpose flour

• Egg Wash

• 1  egg, beaten with
• 1  tablespoon milk

Directions

1. In a large bowl, combine the water, yeast, sugar, buttermilk, butter, honey, salt. Mix and add 2 cups of the flour. Mix with your hands until a dough has formed. Adding the remaining flour 1/2 cup at a time until a smooth dough is formed that clears the sides of the bowl. Continue kneading until dough is smooth and elastic, about 4-5 minutes. Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl, turning once to coat, and cover the bowl with a clean towel. Let rise at room temperature until doubled in bulk, about 60-75 minutes.
2. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and gently punch it down. Grease a loaf pan. Cover the loaf lightly with a towel and let rise until fully doubled in bulk, about 45 minutes.
3. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Center a rack in the oven. Just before putting the loaf in the oven, brush the tops with the egg wash. Place the pans on the center rack and bake about 45 minutes, rotating 180 degrees halfway through the baking time. If the tops brown too quickly, cover loosely with aluminum foil. Remove the loafs immediately to a cooling rack. Let cool completely before slicing.