Simple and Sweet Honey Bread Recipe

I'm a big believer in making good food as easy as possible. Sometimes it's lovely to spend hours making bread yourself from start to finish, but most days our time is taken up by jobs, families, and a few precious moments to catch our breath. It doesn't mean you need to forego the smell and taste of a freshly baked loaf of bread. Using honey to sweeten bread adds richness and depth of flavor and helps retain moisture so the bread doesn't dry out as quickly.

Making homemade bread can seem a bit daunting, but there's no need to do everything yourself. Add in the help of a bread machine to your own kneading, shaping, and baking, and you'll have an easy honey bread recipe that tastes great and looks beautiful.
Simply pour your ingredients into your bread machine, choose the dough setting, and press start. When the dough cycle is finished, remove the bread dough from the machine and place on a well-floured counter.
Knead dough well for 1-2 minutes -- this really does make all the difference. Shape the dough into an oblong and place in a parchment-lined loaf pan. Slash the top with a sharp knife, then leave to rise in a warm place for 20-30 minutes. Bake in a 375 degree oven for 30-40 minutes until top is golden brown and loaf sounds hollow when you rap your knuckles against it.

This honey bread recipe is versatile, working with different types of flours, oil, and sweeteners. Feel free to add in extras like sunflower seeds, poppy seeds, pumpkin seeds, or a variety of nuts. If you want something a bit sweeter, add a little more honey and a handful of dried fruit with some orange zest.
It's beautiful eaten warm, slathered with salted butter and even more honey. Or try it toasted, spread with mayonnaise, and topped with sliced ripe tomatoes. It pairs perfectly with a cup of Oregon Breakfast Tea or our cream earl grey blend.
What is your favorite way to eat fresh bread?