• Mix the yeast in the ¼ cup of warm water until it is foamy and fragrant: about 5 minutes.
  
• Sift the dry ingredients (all-purpose flour, baking soda and salt) together and put it in the mixing bowl of a kitchen stand mixer with a dough hook attachment.
  
• Add the wet ingredients (buttermilk, butter, yeast and honey) and mix it on low speed. Let it knead for about 10 minutes. The dough should separate from the mixing bowl and it should be stretchy but not sticky.
  
• Cover the dough and let it rise in a warm place for 1 ½ hours*
  
• After it has about doubled in size, punch the dough down and knead it just a little. Shape it and add it to a greased or buttered bread pan. Cover and let it rise for another hour before baking it.
  
• Preheat the oven to 350° F. Uncover the bread and bake it in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes until the top is a beautiful golden brown.
  
• Remove it from the oven and allow it to cool for about 10 minutes. Remove it from the pan and serve warm with honey butter.
  

Bread Machine Instructions:

• Place the dry ingredients into the pan of a bread machine.
• Place the wet ingredients on top of the dry ingredients.
• Use the bread machine manual to select the proper settings to knead and bake the bread.
• Serve warm.