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Homemade Honey White Bread Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 119 reviews

This Homemade Bread recipe creates soft, golden loaves with a slightly sweet flavor from honey or sugar. Perfect for sandwiches or toast, it requires simple ingredients and uses a traditional baking method with a two-stage rising process to develop great texture and flavor.

Ingredients

Scale

Wet Ingredients

  • 2 cups warm water (105-115°F)
  • 1/4 cup honey or sugar (divided)
  • 2 tablespoons oil (vegetable or canola)

Dry Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 4 to 5 1/2 cups all-purpose or bread flour

Instructions

  1. Activate Yeast: In a large bowl or stand mixer, combine the yeast, warm water, and a pinch of sugar or honey. Let the mixture rest for 5 to 10 minutes until it becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active and ready.
  2. Combine Ingredients: Add the remaining sugar or honey, salt, oil, and 3 cups of flour to the yeast mixture. Mix well to incorporate all ingredients.
  3. Add More Flour: Gradually add an additional cup of flour and mix. Continue to add flour 1/2 cup at a time until the dough starts to pull away from the sides of the bowl. The dough should be smooth and slightly sticky but manageable.
  4. Knead Dough: Knead the dough on medium speed using a stand mixer for 4-5 minutes, or knead by hand for 5-8 minutes. This develops the gluten for structure and elasticity.
  5. First Rise: Grease a large bowl lightly with oil, place the dough inside, turning it to coat with oil. Cover with a cloth or plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1.5 hours.
  6. Shape Loaves: Punch down the risen dough and divide it into two equal portions. Shape each portion into a log and place them into greased 9×5 inch loaf pans.
  7. Second Rise: Cover the loaf pans with greased plastic wrap or a towel. Let the dough rise again until it is about 1 inch above the pan edge, roughly 45-60 minutes.
  8. Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the loaves for 30-33 minutes until they are golden brown and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
  9. Cool and Finish: Remove the loaves from the pans and invert them onto a wire rack. Brush the tops with butter for added flavor and softness. Allow the bread to cool for at least 10 minutes before slicing.
  10. Storage: Store the bread in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.

Notes

  • Ensure water temperature is between 105-115°F to properly activate yeast without killing it.
  • The dough should be slightly sticky but manageable; adding too much flour can make bread dense.
  • Allowing proper rising time is key for fluffy bread texture.
  • Brush with butter immediately after baking for a softer crust.
  • Use bread flour for a chewier texture or all-purpose flour for a softer loaf.
  • Store bread in a cool, dry place to avoid mold growth.

Keywords: homemade bread, easy bread recipe, yeast bread, soft bread loaf, baking bread

Find it online: https://dylangranv.com/homemade-honey-white-bread-recipe/