Buttermilk Bread with Spiced Honey
Makes 12 servings (1 loaf); 1/2 cup Spiced Honey

Prep Time: 15 min.
Baking Time: 1 hr.

Ingredients

• Bread Ingredients
  • 2 - cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 - cup whole wheat flour
  • 2 - teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 - teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 - teaspoon salt
  • 1-1/2 - cups buttermilk*
  • 1/2 - cup butter, melted
  • 1/2 - cup honey
  • 2 - eggs, beaten
• Spiced Honey Ingredients
  • 1/2 - cup honey
  • 1/2 - teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 - teaspoon ground cardamom
  • 1/8 - teaspoon ground allspice

Directions

1. In a large bowl, combine flour, whole wheat flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
2. Add buttermilk, butter, honey and eggs. Stir just until combined.
3. Pour batter into loaf pan.
4. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
5. Cool 10 minutes. Remove from pan.
6. While bread is baking, in a 1-quart saucepan, add spiced honey ingredients: honey, cinnamon, cardamom, and allspice.
7. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 3 to 5 minutes or until mixture comes to a boil.
8. Cool completely. Serve with bread.

* Substitute 4 1/2 teaspoons vinegar or lemon juice plus enough milk to equal 1 1/2 cups. Let stand 10 minutes.

Alan’s Kitchen Tip:
You can change the flavor and texture of this quick bread by using “add-ins”. Add 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans, 1/2 cup raisins or dried cranberries.

Alan’s Kitchen Tip:
If your quick bread sinks in the middle, there may be too much liquid in proportion to the dry ingredients in the recipe – make sure you measure ingredients accurately. It may also mean that your baking powder is no longer active. To test whether your baking powder is still good, combine 1 teaspoon baking powder with 1/3 cup hot water. If it bubbles, it is still good. If not, replace it. Never buy baking powder that is past its expiration date printed on the bottom of the can.

Alan’s Kitchen Tip:
You can bake bread in three greased (5x3-inch) mini loaf pans. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.