Description
This traditional Irish Brown Bread is a hearty, wholesome quick bread made with whole wheat and all-purpose flour, baking soda, and tangy buttermilk. It’s mildly sweetened with optional honey and baked to a golden crust. Perfect for an authentic Irish breakfast or as a comforting snack, this easy-to-make bread offers a dense, slightly crumbly texture and rich flavor in just 45 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups whole wheat flour
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 tablespoon honey (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and grease a baking sheet to prevent the bread from sticking during baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt thoroughly to ensure even distribution of leavening agents and seasoning.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Pour in the buttermilk and add honey if using. Mix gently until a slightly sticky dough forms; avoid overmixing to keep the bread tender.
- Shape the Dough: Transfer the dough onto the prepared baking sheet and shape it into a round loaf approximately 7-8 inches in diameter.
- Score the Loaf: Using a sharp knife, score a shallow ‘X’ across the top of the loaf. This helps the bread expand evenly as it bakes.
- Bake: Place the loaf in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes. Check doneness by tapping the bottom—if it sounds hollow, the bread is baked through.
- Cool: Remove the bread from the oven and allow it to cool completely on a wire rack before slicing. This sets the crumb and enhances texture and flavor.
Notes
- For a slightly sweeter bread, increase honey up to 2 tablespoons.
- If buttermilk is unavailable, substitute with 1 cup milk plus 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar, let sit for 5 minutes before using.
- The ‘X’ scoring is important to allow steam to escape and prevent cracking.
- Store leftover bread wrapped in a clean tea towel or in an airtight container to maintain freshness for up to 3 days.
- Freezing baked bread is possible; slice first and thaw slices as needed.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Irish
