Traditional Irish Brown Bread With Buttermilk
Irish brown bread is bread made with whole meal and all-purpose flour. It is a wholesome, rustic loaf and is one of the best recipes to serve on St. Patrick’s Day or with homemade stews or soups. Because minimal kneading is required, it is easy to make and perfect for new bread makers just like this Irish Soda Bread Recipe. This no-yeast bread tastes so good, you will wonder why you never made it sooner!
In this blog post, you will learn how to make Irish brown bread.
How to Make Irish Brown Bread
First, preheat your oven and grease a loaf pan to make Irish brown bread.
Next, whisk together the whole-meal flour, all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Slowly begin to pour in the buttermilk mixing as you go. Once the buttermilk is mixed with the dry ingredients, pour the dough out onto a floured surface. Knead the bread a few times, not for long, and gently shape the bread dough into the shape of the loaf pan.
If the dough is getting sticky on your hands, lightly sprinkle flour over the dough and rub some flour onto your hands.
Place the brown bread dough into your greased loaf pan and cut a line down the centre of the loaf with a sharp knife. This will allow the bread loaf to bake evenly. Then place it onto the bottom rack in your oven.
Bake for 45 minutes. If you are unsure if the bread is finished baking, you can remove it from the loaf pan and knock on the bottom of the loaf. If it sounds hollow, then it is finished baking.
Lastly, let cool on a wire rack, cut, and enjoy!
Storage
Make sure that the loaf of bread has completely cooled before storing to prevent condensation build-up which will make the bread soggy in its container.
Irish brown bread can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Make sure that it is wrapped in plastic wrap or placed into an airtight sealed container to preserve its freshness.
Brown bread can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. Ensure that the loaf is wrapped well in plastic wrap and placed into an airtight freezer-safe container.
To thaw, remove the bread from the freezer and let sit at room temperature or heat in the oven.
Ingredients
Whole Meal Flour: whole meal flour is the cornerstone of this Irish brown bread recipe. Also, it has a hearty and nutty flavour with a dense and wholesome texture which adds fibre and nutrients.
All-Purpose Flour: all-purpose flour balances out the whole meal flour as well as providing a lighter structure and softer crumb for the bread loaf.
Granulated Sugar: granulated sugar adds a bit of sweetness to the bread.
Baking Powder: baking powder is a leavening agent that helps the bread rise.
Baking Soda: baking soda gives additional leavening and works with the buttermilk acidity.
Salt: salt enhances the overall flavour of the bread.
Buttermilk: buttermilk provides a rich and tangy flavour and adds moisture to this recipe. Because buttermilk is acidic when it mixes with the baking soda, it causes the bread to rise. I would not recommend using plain milk in this recipe only buttermilk.
Tips
- If the bread dough is getting to sticky to work with, lightly sprinkle some all-purpose flour onto the dough and rub some onto your hands.
- Before freezing, cut the bread into individual slices and wrap separately so that you can remove the exact amount of bread that you want to use at one time.
Irish Brown Bread
Ingredients
- 3 c. whole meal flour
- 2 c. all-purpose/plain flour
- 3 tbsp. sugar granulated
- 2 1/2 tsp. baking powder
- 2 tsp. baking soda
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 1/2 c. buttermilk
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400℉/200℃/Gas Mark 6. Grease a loaf pan with either butter or non-stick spray.
- In a large bowl, whisk the whole meal flour, all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together.
- Slowly pour in the buttermilk, mixing as you go. Once the buttermilk is mixed in, pour out the dough onto a floured surface and gently shape it into a loaf pan shape. You can gently knead it here but kneading is not necessary really. If the batter is becoming too sticky, sprinkle a scant amount of all-purpose flour on top of the loaf.
- Place the loaf into a greased loaf pan and cut a line down the centre of the bread loaf with a sharp knife. Then bake for 45 minutes on the lowest shelf of the oven. To test if the bread is done, remove it from the pan and knock on the bottom of the loaf. If it sounds hollow, then it is finished baking.
- Let cool on a wire rack then cut and serve!
Notes
Author: Sarah Young
Irish Brown Bread FAQ
What is Irish brown bread?
Irish brown bread is a traditional quick bread made with whole wheat flour, oats, baking soda, and buttermilk. It’s hearty, slightly dense, and commonly served with butter and jam.
Is Irish brown bread the same as soda bread?
They are similar, but Irish brown bread is typically made with whole wheat flour and oats, while classic soda bread may use white flour. Both use baking soda instead of yeast.
Why is Irish brown bread so dense?
Irish brown bread is meant to be hearty and slightly dense because it uses whole grain flour and no yeast. Overmixing can also make it heavier.
Can I make Irish brown bread without buttermilk?
Yes. You can substitute milk mixed with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar per cup of milk. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes before using.
Does Irish brown bread contain yeast?
No. Traditional Irish brown bread uses baking soda as the leavening agent, making it a quick bread.
How do I keep Irish brown bread moist?
Do not overbake it, and also wrap it in a clean towel after baking to retain moisture. Store in an airtight container once cooled.
Can I freeze Irish brown bread?
Yes. Slice the bread and freeze it in an airtight bag for up to 3 months. Toast slices directly from frozen.
What do you serve with Irish brown bread?
It’s delicious with salted butter, honey, jam, soups, or traditional Irish dishes.