If you've never worked with yeast doughs before you might want to read this guide before you get started.
🥘 Ingredients
This honey buttermilk bread 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.
Restless Chipotle readers LOVE this one!
- Active dry yeast but you can use rapid rise if you want.
- Powdered ginger - helps to activate the yeast but does not add flavor.
- Sugar is used by the yeast.
- 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. Strong honey will give a stronger flavor and wildflower or orange blossom honey will give a lighter flavor. 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 this easy buttermilk 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. You'll want to give it a gentle kneading for a minute or two but nothing like the first time! Don't over-knead it.
- Shape into loaves.
- Place loaves in pans and let rise until 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 buttermilk bread 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 buttermilk bread 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!
King Arthur Flour has some great tips for high altitude baking on their site. The information about homemade 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!
💭 Tips
Expert tip: You may need more or less flour than called for in the recipe. Weather and climate can affect your ingredients - humidity will often mean you'll need at least an extra 1/4 cup or so of flour. If you bake bread on a rainy day it will rise higher than on a clear one due to air pressure!
- Make sure all ingredients are at room temperature.
- Use yeast that is within the sell by date. If your buttermilk bread isn't rising well it could be that the yeast is too old..
- Make sure your liquids are not more than 110F. Check with a insta-read thermometer. If the liquids are too hot the yeast will die.
- Be sure to fully knead the dough. It develops the flavor and texture - and will take 8 to 10 minutes by hand.
- Grease the top of the dough before rising.
- Let the dough rise in a warm spot.
- Cool in the pan for 10 minutes then turn out to finish cooling.
- Cover while cooling for soft crusts.
- Leftover buttermilk? Try this buttermilk banana bread!
👩🏻🍳FAQs
Here are the questions I am most frequently asked about this recipe.
Yes! This bread recipe is made with honey but you can use sugar in it instead. Use an equal amount or slightly less sugar.
I've been baking bread for :::gulp:::46 years! During that time I've used a lot of different pans but my favorite is glass.
The loaves bake evenly and the crust is perfect. I've heard good things about cast iron but I haven't tried it yet. Aluminum/metal pans are fine if that's what you have - your crust may brown faster so watch it.
Rub the crusts with butter and cover with a tea towel as soon as you bring them out of the oven if you like soft crust.
Don't cover it as it's cooling. You can also brush it with egg white blended with 1 teaspoon of water before baking.
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 loaf 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 video
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.
Troubleshooting
I've written a series of posts to help with questions about yeast baking and troubleshooting problems you may experience.
Also - these tips on getting your homemade bread to rise properly are what keep mine high and light!
🍽 Equipment
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If you want to learn to bake homemade bread but it never comes out quite the way you think it should... you might like my book. It's gotten great reviews! Not only does it contain this honey buttermilk bread recipe, there are recipes for batter, whole wheat bread, cinnamon rolls, and many more!
Bread Bootcamp is available on Amazon for Kindle or in paperback.
What’s new? Check out my Restless Chipotle & Co. Store on Amazon where you'll find all kinds of nostalgic goodness! Thanks so much for being a part of Restless Chipotle!
☕️ Kaffeeklatsch
Homemade bread.
Honestly, learning to make it was one of those things that changed my life. You'll find tons more homemade bread recipes here. You know, in case you want to experience that life changing moment for yourself.
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 water, warm, 105F - 110F
- 2 cups buttermilk, warm, 105F - 110F
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 6 cups bread flour, divided use - may use all-purpose
- 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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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