Honey in Bread: Softer Crumb, Golden Crust and Better Keeping

What honey does in dough

Honey contains glucose and fructose, which yeast ferments easily, so it gives fermentation a gentle boost. Honey is also hygroscopic, meaning it attracts and holds water, which keeps bread moist and soft. Its sugars brown quickly in the oven, creating a deep golden crust.

Finally, honey adds flavor, from mild sweetness with clover to a rich, malty note with buckwheat.

How much honey to use

Typical amounts per 500 grams (about 4 cups) of flour:

Swapping honey for sugar in bread

Honey is liquid, so reduce the water or milk by about one tablespoon for every two tablespoons of honey. Honey is also a bit sweeter, so you can use slightly less than the sugar called for. Watch the crust and tent with foil if it browns too quickly.

Our baking with honey guide has general swap rules.

Honey wheat sandwich bread

Mix 2 cups bread flour, 1.5 cups whole wheat flour, 2.25 teaspoons yeast and 1.5 teaspoons salt. Add 1.25 cups warm milk or water, 3 tablespoons honey and 2 tablespoons butter or oil. Knead until smooth, let rise until doubled, shape into a loaf, rise again, then bake at 350°F for 30 to 35 minutes.

• 2 cups bread flour
• 1.5 cups whole wheat flour
• 2.25 teaspoons yeast, 1.5 teaspoons salt
• 1.25 cups warm liquid
• 3 tablespoons honey, 2 tablespoons butter

Honey and whole grains

Whole wheat and rye flours can taste slightly bitter. Honey balances that bitterness and helps the bread stay moist, since whole grain loaves tend to dry out faster. It is one reason honey wheat bread is so popular.

Our article on honey and oats has ideas for oat breads too.

Honey in sourdough

A small amount of honey, about 1 to 2 percent of flour weight, can soften a sourdough crumb and add color without making it sweet. Too much honey can slow some sourdough cultures slightly, so start small.

Troubleshooting

Crust too dark? Lower the oven by 25°F or tent with foil. Dough too sticky? Reduce liquid next time or add a little flour. Slow rise? Very high honey levels can draw water from yeast, so stay within the ranges above. Dense loaf? Make sure the dough is well kneaded and fully risen.

Honey glazes for bread

Brush rolls or loaves with warm honey butter right after baking for a shiny, soft crust. For pretzels and bagels, a little honey in the boiling water deepens color. Our article on honey vs barley malt syrup explains bagel water.

Which honey to use

Raw Clover Honey, harvested in New York State, gives clean sweetness to sandwich loaves and rolls. Raw Buckwheat Honey adds malty depth to rye, pumpernickel and whole wheat. Raw Wildflower Honey is a flexible middle ground for oat and multigrain breads.

Crystallized honey works fine; warm it gently so it measures and mixes easily.

Storage and freshness

Honey breads stay soft a day or two longer than sugar breads because honey holds moisture. Store at room temperature in a bread box or bag for up to four days, or freeze slices for longer.

Honey butter to serve

Beat half a cup of softened butter with two tablespoons of honey and a pinch of salt. Serve with warm bread or rolls. Our whipped honey butter ideas go well with sunflower honey.

Safety note

Baking does not reliably destroy botulism spores, so baked goods made with honey are still not recommended for babies under 12 months, according to many pediatric sources. Never give honey to infants, as the CDC advises.

The takeaway on honey in bread

Honey in bread feeds yeast, softens the crumb, browns the crust and helps loaves stay fresh. Use one to four tablespoons per loaf, reduce liquid slightly and pick a honey that matches your flour.

Honey in bread machines

Bread machines handle honey well. Add it with the liquids, usually first in the pan, so it does not touch the yeast directly. Use the same amounts as for hand-made loaves, and choose the light crust setting, since honey breads brown more. Whole wheat cycles work well for honey wheat bread.

Honey for your next loaf

Bake with Raw Clover Honey for soft loaves or Raw Buckwheat Honey for hearty ones. Save with a 3 jar or 6 jar pack of any honey, and orders over $50 ship free. Visit our shop.