Favorite Buttermilk Bread

Name: Favorite Buttermilk Bread
Ingredients: 6 teaspoons active dry yeast; 3/4 cup warm water (110° to 115°); 3 cups warm buttermilk (110° to 115°); 3/4 cup butter, melted and cooled; 1/4 cup honey; 3 teaspoons salt; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 3/4 cup toasted wheat germ; 9 to 10 cups all-purpose flour

9 ingredients

4 steps

Ingredients

6 teaspoons active dry yeast
3/4 cup warm water (110° to 115°)
3 cups warm buttermilk (110° to 115°)
3/4 cup butter, melted and cooled
1/4 cup honey
3 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup toasted wheat germ
9 to 10 cups all-purpose flour

Directions

1

In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add buttermilk, butter, honey, salt, baking soda, wheat germ and 4 cups flour. Beat until smooth. Gradually stir in enough remaining flour to make a soft dough.
2

Turn onto a heavily floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
3

Punch dough down. Turn onto a floured surface; divide into thirds. Divide each portion into thirds; shape each into a 12-in. rope. Braid three ropes; pinch ends to seal and tuck under. Place in a greased 9x5-in. loaf pan. Repeat with remaining dough. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 45 minutes.
4

Preheat oven to 350°. Bake 40-45 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool.