Honey Walnut Artisan French Bread combines the sweetness of honey with the nutty flavor of walnuts, creating a delightful twist on traditional French bread. Here’s a recipe for making it:
Ingredients:
For the Bread:
- 1 1/2 cups warm water (about 110°F/45°C)
- 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
For the Topping:
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
Instructions:
- Activate the yeast:
In a small bowl, combine the warm water, yeast, and honey. Stir gently and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy. This indicates that the yeast is active. - Mix the dough:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, and chopped walnuts. Make a well in the center and pour in the activated yeast mixture. Stir until a shaggy dough forms. - Knead the dough:
Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead it for about 8-10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. If the dough is too sticky, you can add a little more flour as needed. - First rise:
Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm, draft-free place for about 1-2 hours or until it doubles in size. - Shape the bread:
Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release the air bubbles. Transfer it to a lightly floured surface and shape it into a round or oval loaf. Place the loaf onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. - Second rise:
Cover the shaped loaf with a kitchen towel and let it rise for another 30-45 minutes until it puffs up slightly. - Preheat the oven:
While the bread is rising, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). - Prepare the topping:
In a small bowl, mix together the honey and chopped walnuts for the topping. - Bake the bread:
Once the bread has finished its second rise, brush the top with the honey and walnut mixture. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom. - Cool and serve:
Allow the bread to cool on a wire rack for at least 20-30 minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy your delicious Honey Walnut Artisan French Bread!
This bread is perfect for serving alongside soups, salads, or simply enjoying on its own with a smear of butter.
Honey Walnut Artisan French Bread
Servings
10
servingsPrep time
20
minutesCooking time
30
minutesIngredients
For the Bread:
1 1/2 cups warm water (about 110°F/45°C)
1 tablespoon active dry yeast
1 tablespoon honey
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup chopped walnutsFor the Topping:
2 tablespoons honey
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
Directions
- Activate the yeast: In a small bowl, combine the warm water, yeast, and honey. Stir gently and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy. This indicates that the yeast is active.
- Mix the dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, and chopped walnuts. Make a well in the center and pour in the activated yeast mixture. Stir until a shaggy dough forms.
- Knead the dough: Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead it for about 8-10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. If the dough is too sticky, you can add a little more flour as needed.
- First rise: Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm, draft-free place for about 1-2 hours or until it doubles in size.
- Shape the bread: Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release the air bubbles. Transfer it to a lightly floured surface and shape it into a round or oval loaf. Place the loaf onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Second rise: Cover the shaped loaf with a kitchen towel and let it rise for another 30-45 minutes until it puffs up slightly.
- Preheat the oven: While the bread is rising, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Prepare the topping: In a small bowl, mix together the honey and chopped walnuts for the topping.
- Bake the bread: Once the bread has finished its second rise, brush the top with the honey and walnut mixture. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
- Cool and serve: Allow the bread to cool on a wire rack for at least 20-30 minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy your delicious Honey Walnut Artisan French Bread!
Notes
- Be cautious with the water temperature when activating the yeast. Water that is too hot can kill the yeast, while water that is too cold won’t activate it properly.
- Make sure to let the bread cool sufficiently before slicing to avoid squishing it and to allow the flavors to settle.
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