Buttermilk Bread - It’s a Busy Bee Bread!

Some days I just need a little "pick me up" to keep moving through my day. If I drink caffeine beyond two o’clock I can’t sleep at night. That’s when I turn to the healthy, natural energy of honey to give me a boost…why do you think bees can stay so busy all day? I really like this recipe for Buttermilk Bread With Spiced Honey because it combines buttermilk, honey and whole wheat flour in a not-too-sweet quick bread that becomes the perfect accompaniment for honey laced with cinnamon, cardamom and allspice. It’s just the sort of thing my Mom would have served to her "coffee group".

I was born a few months after my family moved to the town where I was raised. With eight other children to care for I can only imagine how overwhelming it must have felt for my mom to get everyone settled in a new place. A few days after bringing me home from the hospital, Mom answered a knock at the door. A woman introduced herself and welcomed us to the neighborhood with a gift for the new baby. My Mom asked her to come join her for a cup of coffee and a bite to eat. Both agreed it was wonderful to sit and talk for awhile and decided to make it a monthly occurrence, with the alternating hostess providing coffee and a light snack. The group added women as new friends were made and the core group continues to meet to this day (many decades later). Looking forward to this simple pleasure, sharing refreshment together, gave my Mom the strength and energy she needed to provide a welcome and loving home for my family. Never underestimate the power of food and friendship to carry you through the most trying times.

To get started, heat the oven to 350°F and gather the ingredients…all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, buttermilk, butter (I use unsalted), honey, eggs and baking powder, baking soda and salt. I also like to add walnuts to the basic recipe for a little extra crunch, but you may leave them out.

Combine the "dry" ingredients in a large bowl.

Add the nuts (if you are using them).

Prepare your 9x5-inch loaf pan by greasing it. I use the butter wrapper to spread a few teaspoons of softened butter around all surfaces of the pan.

Lightly beat the eggs.

Add the "wet" ingredients to the bowl—the eggs, honey and buttermilk—and stir just until combined.

Pour the batter into the greased and floured pan.The batter will be quite thick, so you may need to use a rubber scraper to get it evenly in the pan.

Bake for 50 to 60 minutes (or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean). Cool 10 minutes before removing the bread from the pan.

Meanwhile, combine ½ cup honey, cinnamon, cardamom and allspice in a small saucepan.

Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it comes to a boil. Pour the honey mixture into a heat-proof serving dish and cool.

Drizzle the spiced honey over the buttermilk bread. I love serving this with mangoes and Greek yogurt as a light meal, but on its own, it couldn’t "bee" a more perfect snack to share with someone special.

Give Buttermilk Bread with Spiced Honey a try for yourself, and I’d love you to share any comments or suggestions you have. …come back in a few days when Amanda will share her go-to dinner recipe.

Emily is paid to write for the Land O’Lakes Recipe Buzz® Blog.