Simple, soft, and irresistibly delicious—this homemade honey bread recipe is perfect for any occasion! Made with simple ingredients and a touch of honey, it’s great for deli sandwiches, toast (peanut butter, Nutella, cinnamon sugar, butter with jam!), breakfast sandwiches, paninis – the list goes on. Easy to make and even easier to enjoy!
The best part? This easy white honey bread recipe comes together from start to finish in under two hours – no sourdough starter required.
It seems like everyone these days is making their own bread at home. I, too, thought I would hop on this train, but no one talks about how sourdough can be a part-time job – keeping your starter alive and healthy, having to plan your bread baking the day before, etc. I’m much more of a spontaneous baker. When the mood strikes, I want to do it now (not tomorrow or whenever my sourdough starter decides to be ready).
If you’re intimidated by sourdough but still want to make your own bread – this is a great recipe for you.
This easy honey white bread comes together in under two hours and couldn’t be easier! Perfect for beginner bread bakers or those who want a quick bread recipe that they can make on short notice. You can’t mess this recipe up! And once you’ve tried it, you won’t ever go back to store-bought bread.
All you need are a few simple ingredients – all-purpose flour, active dry yeast, warm water, a room temperature egg, heavy whipping cream (or milk), and of course, honey! For tools, you just need a large mixing bowl, a bread pan, and an oven (no stand mixer or bread machine required!).
Easy Honey Bread Recipe (White Bread)
Ingredients
- 2 cups warm water
- 2 tbsp honey
- 2 tsp active yeast (or 1 packet)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 egg, room temprature
- 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream (or milk)
- 4 cups flour
- Butter for greasing pan and glazing top of finished loaf (optional)
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 cups of warm water and 2 tablespoons of honey. Stir until the honey dissolves.
- Sprinkle 2 teaspoons (or 1 packet) of dry-active yeast over the mixture and mix. Cover the bowl with a clean dish towel and let it sit for 10 minutes, or until the yeast becomes frothy.
- Once the yeast has bloomed, stir in 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 room-temperature egg, and 1/4 cup of milk (or heavy whipping cream for a richer bread). Mix well.
- Add 4 cups of flour to the mixture, stirring until combined. The dough will have a runny consistency.
- Cover the bowl with the dish towel again and let the dough rise in a warm place for about 30 minutes.
- Grease a bread pan thoroughly with butter or non-stick spray (butter is recommended for extra flavor). Pour dough into the prepared bread pan.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for 40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown. Remove the bread from the oven and glaze the top with butter while it is still warm for a soft and flavorful crust.Enjoy your homemade honey bread fresh or toasted!
Tips for Making Honey Bread:
- I like to coat the top of the loaf with a little more butter after taking it out of the oven.
- Try to level out the dough before baking for a more uniform loaf shape.
- Let the bread cool on a wire rack completely before cutting or storing it.
- If your yeast doesn’t become frothy in step 2, it may no longer be active. Start over with fresh yeast to ensure the bread rises properly.
- This bread is great toasted!
- Leftover bread can be sliced and frozen to be enjoyed at a later date.
Let me know if you try this bread recipe, and be sure to take a look at my other recipes!
[…] the majority of our bread at home. I would love not to buy store-bought bread this year. I have my honey white bread recipe and a basic sourdough recipe down – now I’d love to expand and start making French […]