Golden Harvest Amish Bread

🕒 Prep: 15 min
🔥 Cook: 35 min
🍽 Serves: 12
★★★★★
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This Golden Harvest Amish Bread is a cozy delight, perfect for fall and winter months. Its slightly sweet and buttery taste makes it a winner for any home-baked bread lover, and it's much easier to make than you might think!

Ingredients for Golden Harvest Amish Bread

Warm water: Activates the yeast, kickstarting the rising process. Make sure it's just warm to the touch, not hot.

Active dry yeast: Helps the bread rise. Fresh yeast is key, so check the expiration date.

Honey: Adds natural sweetness and enhances the bread's golden color.

Unsalted butter: Gives the bread its rich, buttery flavor. Melted so it incorporates smoothly.

All-purpose flour: Forms the bulk of the dough, providing structure.

Whole wheat flour: Adds a nutty flavor and a bit of texture, making the bread heartier.

Salt: Enhances flavor and regulates yeast activity.

Milk: Used for brushing, it gives the crust a beautiful sheen and a touch of tenderness.

Egg: Also brushed on top, it contributes to a lovely golden-brown crust.

Tips & Tricks

  • If your kitchen is cold, let the dough rise in an oven that’s been slightly warmed and then turned off.
  • Try using a thermometer to check the water temperature for the yeast — aim for around 110°F.
  • For a richer taste, use whole milk instead of skim when brushing the top.

Serving Suggestions

Golden Harvest Amish Bread is perfect for hearty sandwiches with turkey and cranberry sauce, or simply toasted with a slather of butter and homemade jam. Try pairing it with a warm soup or stew for a comforting meal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?
Yes, you can substitute instant yeast directly in the same amount, but the rise times might be a bit shorter.
How do I store this bread?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or freeze for longer storage.

Golden Harvest Amish Bread Recipe Walkthrough

Start by combining the warm water and yeast in a large bowl. Let it sit for about 5 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when it looks foamy on top. This is your yeast waking up and getting ready to work its magic.

Next, stir in the honey and melted butter until well blended. The honey not only sweetens the bread but also gives it a beautiful color.

Now, add the all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, and salt. Mix until a dough starts to form. It’ll be a bit sticky, but that’s okay.

Transfer your dough to a floured surface and knead it for about 8 minutes. You’re looking for a smooth and elastic dough. Kneading is key — it develops the gluten, which gives your bread structure.

Place the dough in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm place for about an hour, or until doubled in size.

Once risen, punch down the dough to release any air. Shape it into a loaf and place it in a greased 9x5 inch loaf pan. Cover again and let it rise for another 30 minutes.

While the dough is having its second rise, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). It’s important to have the oven hot and ready.

Before baking, gently brush the top of the loaf with milk and a beaten egg. This will help achieve that beautiful golden crust.

Bake for 30-35 minutes. You'll know it's done when it sounds hollow when tapped lightly on top. Let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Easy to make and doesn't require special equipment.
  • Perfect balance of sweetness and nutty whole wheat flavor.
  • Great for sandwiches, toast, or just buttered slices.
  • Makes your kitchen smell like a bakery!

Ingredients

1 cup warm water
2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
1/3 cup honey
1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup milk
1 egg

Step-by-step Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine warm water and yeast. Let sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
2. Stir in honey and melted butter until well blended.
3. Add all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, and salt. Mix until dough forms.
4. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 8 minutes until smooth and elastic.
5. Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
6. Punch down the dough and shape it into a loaf.
7. Place the loaf in a greased 9x5 inch loaf pan. Cover and let rise for another 30 minutes.
8. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
9. Brush the top with milk and beat the egg. Bake for 30-35 minutes until golden brown and hollow-sounding when tapped.
10. Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

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