Yemarina Yewotet Dabo (Ethiopian Honey Bread)

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1. 1Step 1: Place warm water and 2 Tablespoons honey in a mixing bowl. Whisk to dissolve honey, then add the yeast and let bloom for 10 minutes. The mixture should be foamy.
2. 2Step 2: Whisk the egg, 1/2 cup honey, spices, and salt together in a small bowl. Gently stir in the yeast mixture and then add the warm milk and butter.
3. 3Step 3: Stir 2 cups flour into the mixture. Add flour 1/2 cup at a time while mixing with a wooden spoon. Adjust the flour: if you feel that the dough is wet and sticky, continue adding 1/2 cup flour until the dough is smooth. The dough will be scraggy.
4. 4Step 4: Lightly flour the counter or work space and knead the dough until it is smooth and elastic, approximately 10 to 15 minutes.
5. 5Step 5: Place in a lightly oiled stainless bowl and cover with a clean dish towel. Let it rise until doubled in size, approximately 60 to 90 minutes.
6. 6Step 6: Punch the dough down. Form the dough into a loaf or whatever shape you like. I simply place it in a stoneware baking bowl and covered it with a towel for a second rise, approximately 45 minutes.
7. 7Step 7: During the last 30 minutes of the rise, preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake at 325 for an hour until the bread is firm and nicely browned on the top.
8. 8Step 8: Invert the bread onto wire rack or cutting board. Eat by itself or - as we chose to eat it - with butter and more honey.