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Honey French Bread Recipe

4.4 from 51 reviews

Honey French Bread is a sweet and comforting baked treat featuring a loaf of French bread generously slathered with a luscious honey butter mixture infused with cinnamon, nutmeg, and a touch of sugar. This easy-to-make recipe delivers a warm golden crust and tender, flavorful bread that’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, dessert, or a cozy snack.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1 loaf (1 pound) French bread
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • ¼ cup honey
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • Pinch of salt

Optional Toppings

  • ¼ cup chopped pecans or walnuts
  • Additional options: shredded coconut, chocolate chips, sprinkle of sea salt

Instructions

  1. Soften the Butter: Leave the unsalted butter out at room temperature for about an hour until it’s soft but not melted. Alternatively, soften it quickly by microwaving in 5-second intervals, being careful not to liquefy it.
  2. Combine Ingredients: In a medium bowl, add the softened butter, honey, granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and a pinch of salt.
  3. Mix Thoroughly: Using a hand mixer or whisk, cream all the ingredients together for 2-3 minutes until the mixture is light, fluffy, and smooth in texture.
  4. Taste Test and Adjust: Taste the honey butter mixture and adjust sweetness or spice levels by adding more honey, sugar, cinnamon, or nutmeg to suit your preference.
  5. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare it for baking the bread evenly.
  6. Slice the Bread: Using a serrated bread knife, carefully cut the French bread lengthwise into two long halves, being cautious not to cut yourself.
  7. Score the Bread (Optional): Lightly score the cut sides of the bread in a shallow diamond pattern to create pockets for the butter to penetrate more deeply.
  8. Spread the Honey Butter: Generously spread the honey butter mixture over the cut sides of both halves using a spatula or butter knife, covering every nook for maximum flavor.
  9. Add Toppings (Optional): Sprinkle chopped pecans, walnuts, or other optional toppings like shredded coconut or chocolate chips evenly over the buttered surface.
  10. Place on Baking Sheet: Transfer the prepared bread halves onto a parchment-lined baking sheet for easy cleanup.
  11. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes until the bread is golden brown and the honey butter has melted and is bubbly. Watch closely to prevent burning.
  12. Check for Doneness: Verify the bread is done when it has a golden crust and bubbly melted honey butter. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean.
  13. Cool Slightly: Remove the bread from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes to cool slightly and set the honey butter.
  14. Slice and Serve: Use a serrated knife to cut the bread into individual slices and serve warm.
  15. Enjoy: Serve as-is or with accompaniments like vanilla ice cream, a drizzle of extra honey, or powdered sugar for a sweet finishing touch.

Notes

  • Use a serrated knife for clean, even bread slices.
  • Softening butter properly is key to achieving a fluffy honey butter spread.
  • Adjust sweetness and spice to personal taste for a customized flavor.
  • Optional toppings can add texture and enhance flavor variations.
  • Watch baking closely to avoid over-browning or burning.
  • Serve warm for the best buttery and honey flavor experience.

Keywords: Honey French Bread, sweet bread recipe, honey butter bread, cinnamon nutmeg bread, easy dessert bread