Buttermilk Bread

Total Time: 3 hrs 45 mins Preparation Time: 3 hrs Cook Time: 45 mins

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup water
• 1 tablespoon active dry yeast (not instant!)
• 2 cups buttermilk
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 4 -5 cups bread flour (can substitute all-purpose flour)
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 tablespoons sugar

Recipe

• 1 mix the yeast and water in the bowl of your mixer and let proof for 5-10 minutes.
• 2 meanwhile, heat the buttermilk and butter over low heat until the butter melts.
• 3 the mixture will look badly curdled- don't worry, that's what happens when buttermilk is heated.
• 4 it will be fine.
• 5 mix the salt, baking soda and sugar into 1 cup of the flour.
• 6 pour over the yeast, and mix until thoroughly combined.
• 7 put the bowl on your mixer with the dough hook attachment, add another cup of flour and mix until the flour is incorporated.
• 8 keep adding flour until the dough comes together and is no longer sticky.
• 9 then let the dough knead in the machine 5-10 minutes.
• 10 take out of the bowl and finish kneading by hand until the dough is smooth.
• 11 turn into a buttered bowl, cover with plastic wrap, then a towel, and then let it sit to rise until doubled.
• 12 punch down the dough, divide and shape into 2 loaves, then place in greased loaf pans.
• 13 set aside for the second rising.
• 14 heat the oven to 350 degrees f.
• 15 bake the loaves until done, about 30-45 minutes.