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Homemade Buttermilk Bread

This simple loaf is enriched with buttermilk for a slight tang, lightly sweetened, and has a soft texture that makes it at home on the dinner table. Watch how-to video below for hand-kneading tips.
Homemade Buttermilk Bread
Yield 1 (9x5-inch) loaf

Ingredients

  • 3 3/4 cups (469g) plus 1/3 cup (42g) all-purpose flour, divided
  • 3 tablespoons (36g) granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon (9g) kosher salt (see note)
  • 1 (0.25oz) package (7g) or 2 1/4 teaspoons Platinum Yeast
  • 1/4 teaspoon (1g) baking soda
  • 3/4 cup (180g) whole buttermilk
  • 1/2 cup (120g) water
  • 3 tablespoons (42g) unsalted butter, cubed

Instructions

Stand Mixer

  • In the bowl of a stand mixer, whisk together 1¼ cups (156g) flour, sugar, salt, yeast, and baking soda by hand.
  • In a medium saucepan, heat buttermilk, water, and butter over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until an instant-read thermometer registers 120°F (49°C) to 130°F (54°C). Add warm buttermilk mixture to flour mixture; using the paddle attachment, mix at medium-low speed until combined. Reduce mixer speed to low, and gradually add 2½ cups (313g) flour, mixing just until combined and stopping to scrape sides of bowl.
  • Switch to the dough hook attachment. Knead at low speed until a soft, somewhat sticky dough forms, 10 to 12 minutes, stopping to scrape sides of bowl and dough hook; add up to remaining ⅓ cup (42g) flour, 1 tablespoon (8g) at a time, if dough is too sticky. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface, and shape into a smooth round.
  • Lightly oil a large bowl. Place dough in bowl, turning to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm, draft-free place (75°F/24°C) until doubled in size, 30 to 45 minutes.
  • Spray a 9x5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray.
  • Punch down dough, and let stand for 10 to 15 minutes. Lightly press dough into a 10x8-inch rectangle, short side closest to you. Fold top third of dough to center, pressing with heel of hand to seal. Stretch and fold top corners to center, pressing with heel of hand to seal. Starting with top edge, fold dough, about 1½ inches at a time, pressing to seal each time with heel of hand before folding again. Repeat until you have a tight cylinder, about 3 times. Place dough, seam side down, in prepared pan. Gently press dough flat to make sure it’s even and fills pan. Cover and let rise in a warm, draft-free place (75°F/24°C) until almost doubled in size, 20 to 30 minutes.
  • Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).
  • Bake until an instant-read thermometer inserted in center registers 205°F (96°C), 35 to 40 minutes. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes. Remove from pan, and let cool completely on a wire rack.

Hand Kneading

  • In a large bowl, whisk together 1¼ cups (156g) flour, sugar, salt, yeast, and baking soda.
  • In a medium saucepan, heat buttermilk, water, and butter over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until an instant-read thermometer registers 120°F (49°C) to 130°F (54°C). Add warm buttermilk mixture to flour mixture, and whisk together until combined. Add 2½ cups (313g) flour, stirring with a wooden spoon or spatula until a shaggy dough forms.
  • Turn out dough onto a lightly floured surface. Using floured hands, flatten dough until about 1 inch thick. Fold dough in half toward you; using the heels of your hands, push dough away. Turn 90 degrees, and repeat procedure until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes, lightly flouring surface and hands as needed.
  • Proceed with recipe starting with step 4 for stand mixer directions.

Notes

Salt weight and volume vary by brand. Diamond Crystal kosher salt was used in this recipe (1 tablespoon is 9 grams). If you a have different brand or type of salt, use the weight listed in the recipe, not the volume measurement. If you do not have a scale, check your brand’s website for what the equivalent volume measurement is for the weight listed in this recipe.
 
Recipe by Bake From Scratch.