Honey, the Bread Won't Kill You Bread

Ingredients

• 1½ cups warm milk (360 mL)
• ½ cup warm water (120 mL)
• 2¼ tsp active dry yeast (7 g)
• 3 tbsp honey
• 4 tbsp melted butter, slightly cooled
• 2 tsp salt
• 5½-6 cups all-purpose or bread flour (about 690–750 g)
• Extra melted butter for brushing

Method

1. 1Wake up the yeast. Mix the warm milk, water, honey, and yeast. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy. Warm, not hot. We're making bread, not murdering yeast.
2. 2Make the dough. Add the melted butter, salt, and 5½ cups flour. Mix until a dough forms. Add more flour gradually if needed. You want soft and slightly tacky, not dry.
3. 3Knead it. About 8–10 minutes by hand, until smooth and elastic. Consider it your free gym membership.
4. 4First rise. Place in a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let rise until doubled, roughly 60–90 minutes.
5. 5Anger management time. Punch the dough down to release the gas.
6. 6"Shhh, shhh. It's okay. They'll get up again." 😂
7. 7Shape and rise again. Divide into two, shape into loaves, and place in greased 9×5-inch loaf pans. Cover and let rise 40–60 minutes, until nicely puffed above the rim.
8. 8Bake. At 350°F (175°C) for approximately 30–35 minutes, until golden and the centre reaches around 190–200°F.
9. 9Butter that bread. Brush the tops with melted butter. Let cool at least 45 minutes before slicing for the best texture.