Oatmeal Buckwheat Honey Wheat Bread with Orange Blossom Honey Butter

By Helen Lee

As a person who thoroughly enjoys warm homemade bread, but never has enough time in the day to whip up a loaf, I have chosen to use a bread maker to help fuel my fresh bread addiction. There are many recipes that come with a bread maker; most of them are delicious however they have little to no nutritional value. I came across this recipe and thought it sounded like the best of both worlds with the whole grain flours, oatmeal and raw buckwheat honey it is packed full of fiber and antioxidants.

The buckwheat honey has a pungent, earthy, molasses flavor that works astonishingly well with the whole wheat flours, and does not sweeten the loaf too much. Raw buckwheat honey is known in the holistic medicine world for its high mineral content and antioxidant compounds that are known to assist the body in fighting off illness. So while you have it out to bake with, sneak a teaspoonful to help boost your immune system.

The finished product is fantastic all by its self when it first comes out! The buckwheat honey adds another worldly dimension to the flavor that is absolutely fantastic!! Once it is cooled I sliced it and topped it with whipped orange blossom honey butter. The orange blossom honey butter adds a floral aroma to the bread and turns it into a wonderfully sweet dessert of sorts. It is a snack that the kids won’t think twice about eating and you won’t think twice about giving.  This bread is great for toast, sandwiches and makes a delectably hearty French toast.

Ingredients:

1/3 C raw buckwheat honey
1/4 C water
1 T olive oil
1 t salt
1 C rolled oats
1 1/2 C stone ground whole wheat flour
1 1/2 C white wheat bread flour
1 t instant yeast

Directions:

1. Add ingredients to bread pan in the order suggested by the machine’s manufacturer: Set the machine for the regular white bread setting and allow it to run its full cycle.
2. If you prefer a softer crust, easier to slice for sandwiches, then as soon as you take it out of the pan, put it right into a large plastic bag, and close tightly.
3. The hot bread will steam the crust and make it very soft. Serve with orange blossom honey butter.

Raw Orange Blossom Honey Butter

½ C unsalted butter, softened
2 T raw orange blossom honey
½ t salt

In a mixing bowl add butter and salt, whip with an electric mixer until light and fluffy then add the honey and whip until combined. Serve on fresh warm bread or toast.

By Joseph Ford