Bacon Walnut Bread with Honey Butter

Name: Bacon Walnut Bread with Honey Butter
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Yield: 1 loaf (16 slices) and 3/4 cup honey butter.
Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour; 2 teaspoons baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper; 1 cup half-and-half cream; 3/4 cup refrigerated blue cheese salad dressing; 2 large eggs, room temperature; 1 tablespoon honey; 2/3 cup coarsely chopped walnuts; 1/2 cup bacon bits; HONEY BUTTER:; 3/4 cup butter, softened; 2 tablespoons honey

My savory walnut bread filled with bacon bits and blue cheese dressing is complemented by the sweetness of honey-flavored butter. Cut yourself a thick slice, slather on the butter and enjoy!—Pam Ivbuls, Omaha, Nebraska

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper
1 cup half-and-half cream
3/4 cup refrigerated blue cheese salad dressing
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 tablespoon honey
2/3 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
1/2 cup bacon bits
HONEY BUTTER:
3/4 cup butter, softened
2 tablespoons honey

Directions

Preheat oven to 325°. In a large bowl, whisk the first five ingredients. In another bowl, whisk cream, salad dressing, eggs and honey until blended. Add to flour mixture; stir just until moistened. Fold in walnuts and bacon bits.
Transfer to a greased and floured 9x5-in. loaf pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 40-50 minutes. Cool in pan 10 minutes before removing to wire rack to cool completely.
In a small bowl, beat honey butter ingredients. Serve with bread.

Nutrition Facts

1 slice plus about 2 teaspoons honey butter: 296 calories, 23g fat (9g saturated fat), 65mg cholesterol, 350mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 1g fiber), 6g protein.

Originally published as Savory Bacon, Bleu Cheese & Walnut Bread in Taste of Home Christmas Annual 2014