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Traditional Irish Brown Bread

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Irish Brown Bread is as typical as a pint of Guinness. It is a close cousin, or stepbrother to the Irish soda bread made with white flour. Although today both are equally popular, brown bread was initially more common because white flour was more expensive.

a loaf of Irish brown bread on a striped napkin

People with less resources favored brown bread since it cost less to make.

Irish Brown Bread today is also made by artisan bakeries who take great pride in turning out these delicious loaves.

On my recent family trip to Ireland I was very happy that Irish Brown Bread was served at every meal. Whether at a pub or restaurant, Irish brown bread was always present. I am not exaggerating when I say that the bread basket was “attacked” as soon as it hit the table. “More bread please!” was a constant request.

a slice of Irish brown bread with butter and jam on a saucer with butter, jam, and a sliced loaf in the back

Irish Brown Bread is delicious by itself, but even more so slathered with delicious Irish butter, and your favorite jam. Mmmmm Irish Butter, made from grass fed cow’s milk. It’s so creamy, yummm!

Irish Brown Bread is baked with a cross sliced on the top of the loaf. The rich, thick molasses add a  touch of sweetness. This is done for scientific reasons. By cutting into the bread, the heat will be able to penetrate it and thus allow the center to cook well. On the superstitious side, the cross is to let the devil out!

a loaf of Irish brown bread on a striped napkin with a drying rack in the back

Irish Brown Bread is great for dipping into a nice big bowl of Guinness Stew or Dublin Coddle.

I know you’ll be tempted to start munching on this bread as soon as it comes out of the oven. Hold back, you’ll need it for the stew or for your breakfast the next morning.

Here are tips to make a great loaf of Irish brown bread step by step.
Step 1: Combine the all purpose flour, whole wheat flour, rolled oats, salt and baking soda in a large bowl.
Step 2: Mix all the dry ingredients until thoroughly combined.
Step 3: Add the molasses to the buttermilk.
Step 4: Whisk to combine the molasses with the buttermilk.
Step 5: Make a “well”  indentation in the dry ingredients and pour in the buttermilk mixture.
Step 6: Using a fork or spatula draw the dry ingredients into the center and combine.

Collage of photos with clear bowl, flour, buttermilk and molasses.

Step 7: Coat your hands with flour and gently knead to form a soft dough.
Step 8: Form a ball on a floured surface.
Step 9: Press down on the ball until it is about 2 inches thick.
Step 10: Cut a deep cross over the top of the dough.
Step 11: Bake 15 minutes at 450, reduce to 400 and bake another 20-25 minutes until the loaf sounds hollow when tapped.
collage of photo with steps to make Irish soda bread with molasses, kneading and forming a ball.

If you are looking for more Irish recipes to make for Saint Patrick’s Day or anytime at home here are a few of my favorites to try or bookmark for later.  Irish butter cookies are favorite melt in your mouth shortbread cookie recipe that does call for Irish butter, no substitutes.  If you want to make a delicious soup for your family then you have to try Irish potato leek soup.  A more unusual dish to try would be Irish pub style salmon tartlets with a nice smoky flavor and creamy texture.

If you are into authentic Irish drinks them you will want to check out the recipe and history of Irish coffee and another interesting warm hot toddy like libation, the Scailtin or Irish whiskey milk punch.  Both of these will warm you up on a cold night!

 

Irish brown soda bread | ethnicspoon.com
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Irish Brown Bread

This traditional moist Irish brown bread is great with breakfast, slathered with butter or a healthy dollop of jam.

Course Bread
Cuisine Irish
Keyword baking, butter milk, easy, no rise, no yeast, quick bread, soda bread
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: Change to adjust-> 12 people
Calories 187 kcal
Author Analida Braeger

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 450'F.

  2. In a large bowl combine the dry ingredients: both fours, oats, salt and baking soda.  Mix thoroughly all the dry ingredients. 

  3. Whisk buttermilk and molasses. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients.  Pour in the buttermilk mixture.

  4. Using a fork or spatula, stir gradually until combined. 

  5. With floured hands, knead into a ball. 

  6. Shape the dough into a circle and place on a lined baking sheet. Press flat to about 2 inches thick. 

  7. With a sharp knife cut a deep cross on top of the ball.

  8. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes at 450. Reduce the heat to 400 then bake for an additional 20-25 minutes or until the bottom of the bread sounds hollow when tapped. 

Nutrition Facts
Irish Brown Bread
Amount Per Serving
Calories 187 Calories from Fat 18
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 2g 3%
Cholesterol 3mg 1%
Sodium 434mg 18%
Potassium 203mg 6%
Total Carbohydrates 36g 12%
Dietary Fiber 3g 12%
Sugars 4g
Protein 6g 12%
Vitamin A 1.2%
Calcium 5.9%
Iron 11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

This recipe was adapted from:  The Complete Irish Pub Cookbook

 

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. I love bread and this looks so good! Thanks so much for sharing with us at Bloggers Brags! I’m pinning to the Bloggers Brags board on Pinterest. Enjoy the rest of your week!

    Reply

  2. This looks incredible! I’m drooling right now. Pinned and tweeted. We are so thrilled to have you at our party. Please stop by on Monday at 7, so we can see your amazing projects. Lou Lou Girls

    Reply

  7. Hello! I have made this bread several times now, and each time, it does not cook completely through the center. I make the cross cut in it beforehand. I don’t understand why it won’t bake through. What are the dimensions of the loaf when you put it in the oven? I’m wondering if I need to flatten my ball a little. I’ll give it one more try. Thanks!

    Reply

    • Hi Joan, thanks for your question. I have never actually measured my loaf; I would definitely try flattening it out a bit. I emailed my Irish friend, and she said to flatten it to about 2″ in height. I hope this helps. I am going to try her method next time I bake it. Another idea, although I have never done this, is to make two loaves. Please let me know if either of these methods work.

      Reply

  8. I’ve been on the hunt for a very authentic Irish brown bread recipe since my significant other is Irish and all the others I’ve tried were not like his “Ma’s“. This one was the one! I don’t use the food processor and I import the stone ground flower, since it’s the only way to get the “gritty” texture that is so authentic. The history of this bread is supposed to be that of the poor, so I use my hands to mix it and supposedly it’s very Irish, or at least that’s what I’m told. Thanks!!

    Reply

  9. Hi Analida, found this recipe and it looks good. Just a question though. You call for 1 3/4 White flour. Would that be teaspoons, tablespoons or cups? The recipe already needs 2 cups of whole wheat flour so I am unsure of how much more white flour is needed. Thanks so much.

    Reply

  11. I was lerry about this recipe because it did not call for eggs or butter. However it was the best Irish brown bread I have ever eaten. I followed the recipe to the letter. Thank you so much for the recipe.

    Reply

  12. This turned out great! I added about 3 tbsp of ground flax seed for extra texture & a drizzle of honey to the dough for a little sweetness. Totally missed the part about flattening it out to about 2″, so it was quite a bit thicker but just baked until it had the hollow sound.

    Reply

    • Hi Sharon, Thanks for the question. This recipe makes a very wet dough and it would be better to bake two rounds that are two inches thick.
      I think if you bake in tins the thickness won’t allow them to cook all the way through.

      Reply

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