This homemade buttermilk bread recipe is so easy that even a beginner can do it! It's the best bread ever for sandwiches - soft with a slightly sweet flavor that comes from honey. If you've never worked with yeast doughs before you might want to read this guide before you start.
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This recipe is so unbelievably light that it doesn't seem like homemade. It's sweet but not too sweet so it makes a great sandwich no matter what the filling is. You can taste the honey but it's just lightly sweet; not overpowering at all.
- Active dry yeast
- Powdered ginger - helps to activate the yeast but does not add flavor.
- Sugar
- Buttermilk - Adds a little flavor but mostly it creates that soft, tender crumb we all love.
- Honey - the type of honey you get will change the flavor of the bread. Experiment with different types to see what you like best.
- Salt - kosher salt was used. If you use regular table salt cut the amount by about 1/4th or so.
- Baking soda
- Bread flour - you can use all-purpose flour if you like.
- Butter
Instructions
Just follow the images to see how to mix and shape the bread.
- Mix the sugar, ginger, yeast, and warm water and set aside until foamy.
- Whisk the buttermilk, honey, salt, and baking soda together.
- Add it to the yeast mixture.
- Pour into the mixer.
- Add three cups of flour and mix until smooth, about 3 to 5 minutes on low of a stand mixer.
- Pour in the butter and blend.
- Switch to kneading hook. Add the rest of the flour, one cup at a time, keeping mixer on low speed.
- When dough pulls from the sides of the bowl remove it from the mixer to a lightly floured surface. Knead until elastic and smooth
- Place in greased bowl, turn to grease the top, and cover with a clean tea towel. Let rise about 1 1/2 hours.
Shaping
- Punch dough down.
- Shape into loaves.
- Place in pans and let rise til double. Bake.
- Remove finished loaves from oven. Brush with butter.
- Cool and slice.
- Perfect honey buttermilk bread!
Bread machine instructions
Many of you have asked about making this recipe in a bread machine. One reader, Debbie, did so and she left this comment.
"If you want to make it and bake it in a bread machine cut the recipe in half, set it on white bread setting, and add ingredients in this order (or according to your manufacturer's instructions):
- Water
- Buttermilk
- Butter
- Honey
- Sugar
- Salt
- Flour mixed with ginger and baking soda
- Yeast"
High altitude instructions
This is not a problem here in Texas - at least not in my area! However, King Arthur Flour has some great tips for high altitude baking on their site. The information about bread and yeast is at the bottom of the page.
Also your rising time will be MUCH faster so keep an eye on your dough!
FAQs
Here are the questions I am most frequently asked about this recipe.
Can you substitute honey for sugar ?
This bread is made with honey but you can use sugar in it instead. Use an equal amount.
How do you keep bread crust crispy?
Don't cover it as it's cooling. You can also brush it with egg white blended with 1 teaspoon of water before baking.
How do I know when the bread is done?
You can use an insta-read thermometer if you like. Push it into the side of the loaf - the center of the bread should be about 200F.
You can also turn the bread out and tap the bottom. It will sound hollow. After you've baked bread a few times you'll just know.
How to knead dough by hand
Plan on it taking you 10 to 15 minutes to knead by hand. You can see an instructional video on how to knead bread here.
Tips
If you're a fairly new bread baker you may want to read this post on how to make homemade bread first. There are tons more bread recipes here.
- Make sure all ingredients are at room temperature.
- Use fresh yeast.
- Make sure your liquids are not more than 110F.
- Grease the dough before rising.
- Let the dough rise in a warm spot.
- Cover while cooling for soft crusts.
I've written a series of posts to help with questions about yeast baking and troubleshooting problems you may experience. Be sure to take a look before getting started.
Also - these tips on getting your bread to rise properly are what keep my breads high and light!
Supplies
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If you've wanted to learn to bake bread but it never comes out quite the way you think it should... you might like my book, Bread BootCamp. It's gotten great reviews! Not only does it contain this honey buttermilk bread recipe, there are recipes for batter breads, cinnamon rolls, whole wheat bread, and many more!
Bread Bootcamp is available on Amazon for Kindle or in paperback.
☕️ Kaffeeklatsch
I was lying on the couch one day, paging through a Seventeen magazine and they had a recipe for bread. I don't know if they still publish recipes but they used to. I was bored, it seemed like a cool 70's kind of thing to do, and why not? After all, the early 70s were all about artisan and handcrafted things.
So I did it. I just followed the directions and there it was.
Bread.
It was magical. The house smelled great and I had accomplished something I had never seen or done before. I'd never had homemade bread. Honestly, it was one of those moments that changed my life. It was an epiphany and would more or less guide my food life from that moment on.
If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need. Don't forget that you can click on "add to collection" to save it to your own, private recipe box!
If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📋Recipe
Honey Buttermilk Bread Recipe
Equipment Needed
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon/packet yeast, I usually use 1 because I buy in bulk.
- 1 pinch powdered ginger
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/4 cup warm water, 105F
- 2 cups warm buttermilk, 105F
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 6 cups white bread flour, divided use
- 1/4 cup butter, melted and cooled so that it is warm to the touch but not hot.
Instructions
- In a medium sized bowl mix the yeast, ginger, sugar, and 110F water.
- Set aside for 5 minutes or until foamy.
- Whisk the buttermilk, honey, salt, and baking soda together and add it to the yeast mixture.
- Add three cups of flour and mix until smooth, about 3 to 5 minutes on low of a stand mixer.
- Pour in the butter until it is totally mixed into the batter.
- Add the rest of the flour, one cup at a time, keeping mixer on low speed.
- When dough pulls from the sides of the bowl remove it from the mixer to a lightly floured surface. Knead until elastic and smooth.
- You can also knead in your mixer according to manufacturer's directions.
- Place in greased bowl, turn to grease the top, and cover with a clean tea towel.
- Allow the dough to rise for 1 1/2 hours, or until double.
- Punch down and form into two loaves. Place in greased loaf pans and grease tops.
- Cover, and allow to rise for 45 minutes, or until it is just about to the tops of the bread pans.
- Preheat oven to 375F.
- Bake for 30 minutes. You can cover the tops with foil if they brown too fast.
- Remove loaves from oven and brush with melted butter.
- Allow to cool in pans for 10 minutes.
- Gently run a knife around the edge between the bread and the pan to loosen it.
- Turn out and cool completely on a rack.
- Cover the loaves if you want soft crusts.
Notes
- Make sure all ingredients are at room temperature.
- Use fresh yeast.
- Make sure your liquids are not more than 110F.
- Grease the dough before rising.
- Let the dough rise in a warm spot.
- Cover while cooling for soft crusts.
Nutrition
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We'll never share your email or send you spam. Pinkie swear.This recipe has been undated from the original 2008 version to improve reader experience. Last updated February 2020
Diane
Made this today. It turned out amazing. Will definitely be making it again!!!
Marye
So glad you liked it, Diane!
Pat Potvin
I have made this recipes four times. I did substitute sugar for honey as didn’t have any as was written in your notes. I usually make buns but decided to try this after watching the video. Very easy to make and tastes wonderful. My husband loves the bread. I like the fact it makes two loaves and can use my Kitchen Aid mixer.
Marye
You can almost always substitute one sweetener for another. 🙂 I am glad you like it!
Ginny
I’ve made the honey buttermilk bread several times and it’s a wonderful bread! I’ve gotten many raves about it. 👍🏻
Marye
I'm glad you like it!It's one of my favorites.
Deb
Baking soda or baking powder?
Marye
Baking soda - as written.
Stacy
Just made this for the first time, I have never made bread like this. I was worried because the buttermilk mixture was so fluffy but this bread turned out AMAZING! Such a good flavor! It’s subtly sweet and has great texture. Thanks for the recipe!
Marye
You're welcome! I am so glad you like it!
Gwen Johnston
Can you make this into buns instead of bread loaves? And if so how long should you bake them?
Marye
Yes! Probably 15-20 minutes depending on the size.
Cindy
If I do not have buttermilk ; can I sub out milk soured with vinegar?
Marye
You can... or you can just use regular milk. It will be a little different.
Erin
Do you need the ginger? We aren't erinbig ginger fans.
Marye
The ginger helps activate the yeast - there's not enough to give it flavor. But you can leave it out.
Rhonda McMullen
This is without a doubt the BEST bread recipe! I always make my own bread and I’ve tried many. This is my go to now. ❤️❤️
Marye
Thank you!
Rachel
I've made this multiple times, and it always comes out great! Thanks for providing a great recipe that I can use as a base for experimenting on my own recipes.
Marye
I am so glad you like it, Rachel!
Nancy lawlor
Hi, my daughter and I are baking together& your recipe intrigued me. Ginger,buttermilk,baking soda? I said let’s try this one! Can I put a picture up? Well it was tasty & beautiful. 2 loaves one for her& one for me. Thanks so much. 5 stars!
Marye
Awesome! You can post a picture to the facebook page here- https://www.facebook.com/RestlessChipotle or post to Instagram and tag me @marye_restlesschipotle. Thanks!
Lorie
What size bread pans do you recommend?
Marye
the 9x4.5 size is what I use.
Landi Cordier
Hello!
I'm a first time bread maker, and bought the ingredients before I saw that I needed a breadmaker and glass pans;
Can I make this without the breadmaker? What adjustments do I need to make for regular pans; I dont have glass ones?
Thank you!!
Marye
You don't need a bread maker. You can knead by hand. Read through the whole post and watch the video on how to knead by hand. 🙂
Kristin
I am a seasoned bread maker and love, love LOVE this recipe! I did substitute RapidRise yeast (it was what I had on hand) - I followed the recipe, but eliminated the first rise- and formed loaves right in the pans and let rest for about 45min. it worked great! - K
Marye
Aww thanks Kristin!
Bethany
If you turn off your wifi while using the recipe, you won't get pop ups. Helpful when using on line recipes!
Shubha
I’m not particularly talented with bread making but this recipe came out perfectly! Thank you for making it so easy to turn out a nice soft loaf of white bread. My family loved it!
Marye
Thanks for letting me know!
Debra Dale
Love the recipe. Do you have a recipe for buttermilk pies
Marye
I do! I'll try to get it posted soon!
Michelle
I wonder if I can substitute maple syrup for honey?
Marye
Yes you can!
Shirley
I made this bread today and it was fantastic. I just started making bread in the last few months and my husband said it was the best bread I made so far. Thank you and I look forward to trying some more of your recipes.
Marye
Shirley, thank you for taking the time to let me know! I look forward to getting to know you!
Mary Gallagher
Can you use instant yeast? If yes, how would that change the directions?
Marye
Yes you can. Just add the yeast and the flour together and add the water in with the buttermilk - or use all buttermilk.
Nora
Excellent tasting bread, my husband loves it! Thank you for sharing this recipe. It was so easy for me to try out bread baking.
Marye
I am so glad you let me know, Nora! What are you going to try next? Have a great day!
.dw
i made this in my breadmachine, it’s so much less hassel....i used 4 cups flour and 2 cups oatmeal, it might be a little more coarse than yours but sure was good.
Marye
Awesome!
Joan Venable
Your "subscribe to e-mail" popup is annoying. It must have popped up 15 times while I was trying to read your recipe. Every time I touched the down arrow there it was again. (Even while trying to type this comment)
Marye
Joan - it must have glitched. It's set to only popup when you leave the site- and only once every 5 days ... and only once. Could you help me by telling me the browser you use and if you were on your phone or laptop? Thanks so much.
Bonna
Powdered ginger-same as ground? Where to find, if not? Thx
Marye
Yes it's the same, Bonna
Teresa
can you use self rising flower and skip the yeast?
Marye
No. All yeast bread requires yeast to rise properly.
Sarah
Can you make this without a standing mixer?
Marye
Yes but you'll need to knead it thoroughly by hand - about 10 minutes. 🙂
brandy lindsey
What temperature do you bake bread
Marye
usually around 350F to 375F