Lavender Honey Loaf

Total Time: 2 hrs 5 mins Preparation Time: 1 hr 30 mins Cook Time: 35 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 14
• 1 teaspoon water
• 1 large egg
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 2 teaspoons dry yeast
• 3/4 cup warm water (100 to 110 degrees f)
• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, divided use
• 3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh lavender leaves
• 3 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon salt
• cooking spray

Recipe

• 1 combine 1 teaspoon water and egg a small bowl, stirring with a whisk. reserve 1 tablespoon egg mixture.
• 2 dissolve honey and yeast in warm water in a large bowl, let stand 5 minutes.
• 3 lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. add 2 cups remaining egg mixture, lavender, butter and salt to yeast mixture, stir well. stir in 3 cups flour to form a stiff dough.
• 4 turn dough out onto a lightly flour surface. knead until smooth and elastic (about 10 minutes), add enough of remaining flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, to prevent dough from sticking to hands (dough will feel tacky).
• 5 place dough in a large bowl coated with cooking spray, turning to coat top. cover and let rise in a warm place (85 free from drafts, 45 minutes or until doubled in size. (press two fingers into the dough. if indentation remains, the dough has risen enough.)
• 6 punch dough down; cover and let rest 5 minutes.
• 7 divide in half. working with one portion at a time (cover remaining dough to keep from drying), roll each portion into a 12-inch rope on a floured surface. twist ropes together, pinching ends to seal. place the dough in an 8 x 4-inch loaf pan coated with cooking spray. cover and let rise 45 minutes or until doubled in size.
• 8 when ready to bake:.
• 9 preheat oven to 375 degrees f.
• 10 uncover dough. gently brush the reserved egg mixture over loaf.
• 11 bake loaf at 375 for 35 minutes or until browned on bottom and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped. remove loaf from pan; cool completely on a wire rack.
• 12 to freeze for up to 1 month:.
• 13 place in an airtight container, or wrap in heavy-duty plastic wrap or foil. unwrap the loaf, and thaw at room temperature 2 hours before serving.