Kay's Favorite Buttermilk Bread

Ingredients

6 teaspoons active dry yeast

3/4 cup warm water (110° to 115°)

3 cups warm buttermilk (110° to 115°)

3/4 cup butter, melted and cooled

1/4 cup honey

3 teaspoons salt

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

3/4 cup toasted wheat germ

9 to 10 cups all-purpose flour

Directions

1.     In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add buttermilk, butter, honey, salt, baking soda, wheat germ and 4 cups flour. Beat until smooth. Gradually stir in enough remaining flour to make a soft dough.

2.     Turn onto a heavily floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.

3.     Punch dough down. Turn onto a floured surface; divide into thirds. Divide each portion into thirds; shape each into a 12-in. rope. Braid three ropes; pinch ends to seal and tuck under. Place in a greased 9x5-in. loaf pan. Repeat with remaining dough. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 45 minutes.

4.     Preheat oven to 350°. Bake 40-45 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool. Yield: 3 loaves (12 slices each).

Note: Warmed buttermilk will appear curdled.

Nutritional Facts

One slice equals 183 calories, 4 g fat (3 g saturated fat), 11 mg cholesterol, 275 mg sodium, 31 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 5 g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 1/2 fat.