Imagine the smell of freshly baked honey bread filling your home, evoking memories of simpler times and creating new traditions. 

As a busy mom and wife juggling sports schedules and running a business, finding time to bake brings me back to moments of peace and simplicity. There’s something incredibly grounding about mixing dough, watching it rise and savoring the first warm slice. 

Baking this sweet and simple honey bread is my way of slowing down and basking in the little things.

In case we haven’t met yet — hi, I’m Lindsey! I started Elderberry Queen after discovering the incredible health benefits of elderberry syrup for my family. 

We were always sick so I began looking for remedies. After whipping up my homemade batch of syrup and taking a consistent dose every day, sickness no longer had a hold on us. In fact, I can’t even remember the last time one of us was sick. 

Making homemade elderberry syrup in my kitchen was just the beginning. Over the years,  I’ve increasingly turned to a holistic lifestyle. This means lots of homemade cooking. 

I recently made a few loaves of this incredibly delicious and nutritious honey bread and had to share it with you. So, let’s dive in. 

Why Bake Bread at Home?

Baking bread at home is a delightful return to wholesome goodness in a world where convenience often trumps quality. Unlike store-bought bread, which is often loaded with preservatives, GMOs  and artificial ingredients, homemade bread offers unmatched freshness and purity.

When you bake at home, you control every ingredient in your loaf. Real, nutrient-dense ingredients like organic whole wheat flour, raw honey and a touch of sea salt make all the difference. 

Whole wheat flour provides essential fiber and nutrients, while raw honey adds natural sweetness and antioxidants. This means each slice tastes better while nourishing your body in ways store-bought bread can't.

This homemade honey bread makes for a delightful treat your entire family will rave about! Even if you can’t make this bread every week as a staple in your home, the health benefits alone are worth every blissful minute it takes to make.

The Simple Joy & Benefits of Honey Bread

One of the purest pleasures in life is a warm slice of honey bread — even better when made with raw honey from our shop. The magic of honey bread lies in its simplicity and the wholesome ingredients that make it so special.

Honey is nature’s perfect sweetener. Raw honey is a delicious treat packed with health benefits that refined sugars can't even begin to offer, including:

• Rich in antioxidants that help combat inflammation and support overall health.
• Trace amounts of vitamins and minerals, like vitamin C, calcium and iron, making it a nutrient-dense alternative to regular sugar.
• Antibacterial and antifungal properties can boost your immune system and promote better digestion. 

Using raw honey in your bread makes it extra flavorful and becomes a nourishing experience for your body!

In our honey bread, we pair this golden elixir with whole wheat flour, adding fiber and essential nutrients for a hearty, satisfying loaf. The natural sweetness of honey perfectly complements the earthy flavor of whole wheat, creating a delicious and wholesome bread.

This honey bread is the BEST choice of bread whether you’re… 

• Making sandwiches for school lunches
• Enjoying toast with our Blueberry Elderberry Jam or Elderberry Whipped Butter 
• Indulging in a slice on its own

When you use our local raw honey, you’re not just baking bread — you’re supporting sustainable practices and enjoying the purest, most flavorful honey available! 

Now let’s get into what ingredients are needed to make this mouth-watering honey bread.

Honey Bread Ingredients

To create the perfect honey bread, you'll need a few simple ingredients:

• 2 cups warm water: This is the base for activating the yeast and creating a moist, tender loaf.
• 2 packets active dry yeast: Essential for giving our bread its rise and fluffy texture.
• ½ cup honey: Our star ingredient adds natural sweetness and a wealth of health benefits.
• 6 cups plus a little extra for kneading) unbleached all-purpose flour or 100% white whole wheat flour: Provides structure and a light, airy crumb, making each bite delightful.
• ¼ cup sugar: Enhances the flavor and helps with the browning of the crust.
• 1 ½ teaspoons salt: Balances the sweetness and strengthens the dough.
• ¼ cup melted butter: Adds richness and a tender crumb, making our bread irresistibly soft.

These ingredients come together to create a delicious and nourishing loaf, perfect for any meal or snack.

Here's How to Make Your Honey Bread Loaf

Creating your own honey bread at home is a rewarding experience that fills your kitchen with the comforting aroma of fresh-baked goodness. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to help you make it:

1. Proof the Yeast:

• In a small bowl, stir together the warm water, yeast and honey. Set aside for 10 minutes to allow the mixture to proof and become bubbly.

2. Prepare the Dry Ingredients:

• In a large bowl, combine 4 cups of unbleached all-purpose (or 100% white whole wheat) flour, sugar and salt. Add the melted butter and gently stir to incorporate.

3. Mix the Dough:

• Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the yeast mixture. Begin mixing with a large spoon until a dough starts to form.

4. Knead the Dough:

• Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface. Knead for approximately 6 minutes, gradually adding small amounts of flour until the dough is smooth and slightly sticky. The dough should feel tacky but should not stick to your hands.

5. First Rise:

• Place the dough into a well-greased bowl, rolling it around to coat. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and allow the dough to rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.

6. Prepare the Loaf Pans:

• Grease two loaf pans to prevent sticking.

7. Shape the Dough:

• Remove the dough from the bowl and divide it into two equal portions. Gently press each portion into a rectangle about the same width as your loaf pans. Roll each rectangle into a log and place them seam-side down into the prepared loaf pans.

8. Second Rise:

• Cover each loaf pan and allow the dough to rise for approximately 45 minutes or until doubled in size.

9. Preheat the Oven:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F.

10. Bake the Bread:

• Bake the loaves for 30-40 minutes, or until they’re completely cooked through and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom. Be careful not to overbake.

11. Cool and Store:

• Remove the loaves from the oven and let them cool in the pans for 20 minutes. Then, transfer the loaves to cooling racks to cool completely before slicing. Store the bread in airtight containers to maintain freshness.

Enjoy your homemade honey bread with a spread of our homemade whipped elderberry butter or elderberry blueberry jam for a truly delightful and nutritious treat.

Bringing Family Together 

There's something magical about the process of baking bread that always brings me back to my roots. I remember the first time I decided to bake honey bread. It was a chaotic Saturday morning. The kids had back-to-back sports events and my to-do list seemed endless. In the middle of all the hustle, I felt a strong urge to slow down and do something grounding.

So, I pulled out the ingredients and started mixing the dough. As I kneaded the dough, I got lost in the rhythm. I felt the stress melt away with each push and pull. The sweet aroma of honey filled the kitchen, reminding me of the simple joys of my childhood when life seemed a bit slower and sweeter.

When the bread was finally ready, we all gathered around the table, eagerly slicing into the warm, golden loaves. The smiles on my kids' faces as they savored each bite made all the effort worthwhile. 

Moments like these remind me why I love baking from scratch — it’s a way to create more than just food. I create memories and connections with the people I love most.

It’s More Than Just Baking Bread

Baking honey bread at home is more than just making bread — it's about embracing a wholesome, nourishing lifestyle. It’s a small act of love that brings comfort, joy and a sense of accomplishment. Plus, using natural ingredients like our local raw honey ensures each slice is packed with flavor and health benefits.

So, why not give it a try? Take a moment to slow down, mix some dough and let the honey bread’s sweet, warm aroma fill your home. I promise it’s worth every minute.

As a reminder, you can find the best raw honey right here in our shop. For more delicious recipes and wholesome ingredients, visit my blog.  

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