Step 1
Stir dark brown sugar 1 tablespoon honey and yeast into warm water in a large bowl dissolving sugar and yeast. Let stand until a foamy layer forms on the water about 10 minutes. Stir 3 tablespoons melted butter half-and-half and salt into yeast mixture.
Step 2
Beat 1 cup flour to wet ingredients forming a wet sloppy dough. Turn dough out onto a floured work surface and gradually knead remaining 1 cup flour into dough until dough is only slightly sticky about 10 more minutes. Add more flour if dough is too wet. Form dough into a ball.
Step 3
Grease a large bowl with 1 teaspoon butter; place dough ball into bowl and turn to lightly coat with butter. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm area until doubled 1 hour to 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Step 4
Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray.
Step 5
Stir baking soda and 3 tablespoons honey (if you like a sweeter crust) into a large pot of water and bring to a full rolling boil. Punch down dough and divide in half. Form each half into a small loaf. Carefully drop a loaf into the boiling water and cook for 30 seconds on each side. Dough should float. Remove loaf gently and let excess water drip off; place loaf on prepared baking sheet. Boil the second loaf following same steps and place onto baking sheet.
Step 6
Sprinkle each loaf lightly with salt. Use a sharp knife to cut an X shape into the top of each loaf.
Step 7
Bake on a center rack in preheated oven for 10 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 400 degrees F (205 degrees C) and continue baking until crust is shiny and browned and loaves are done in the middle 10 more minutes. For a softer crust brush tops of loaves with melted butter.