4.8 from 60 votes
Irish Brown Bread
Irish Brown Bread combines whole wheat and all-purpose flours with buttermilk, baking soda, and brown sugar to create a dense, hearty bread. The dough is sticky and shaped into an 8-inch round with characteristic slashes on top before baking. The bread bakes at a high temperature to develop a golden crust and hollow sound when tapped, indicating it is cooked through. This traditional bread has a moist crumb and firm texture, making it a satisfying choice for sandwiches or alongside soups.
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
35 mins
Servings:
10
servings
Calories:
207 kcal
Course:
Bread
Cuisine:
Irish
Ingredients
- 2 cups whole wheat flour
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1 Tbsp brown sugar
- 2 cups buttermilk
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 450F.
- In a large mixing bowl, sift together the whole wheat and all purpose flours, baking soda, salt, and brown sugar.
- Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the buttermilk. With a spoon, or your hands, mix everything together until a sticky dough forms. You can add a small splash of extra liquid if your dough seems too dry.
- Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead it about 4-5 times until it a bit smoother and less sticky.
- Roughly shape the dough into a fat disk about 8 inches across. With a sharp knife, cut two slashes, about 1/4" deep, into the top of the loaf in the shape of an X. Transfer to a baking sheet.
- Bake for 15 minutes, then turn the oven down to 400F and bake for 15-20 more minutes. The bread should be puffed up, golden brown, and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom when done.
- Allow to cool on a baking rack before slicing.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- This recipe originates from Darina Allen, providing a traditional Irish bread preparation.
- Let the bread cool completely on a rack before slicing to maintain proper texture.
- The characteristic cross slashes on top facilitate even rising and baking.
Nutrition Information
Calories
207kcal
(10%)
Carbohydrates
40g
(13%)
Protein
7g
(14%)
Fat
2g
(3%)
Saturated Fat
1g
(5%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
(6%)
Monounsaturated Fat
1g
(5%)
Cholesterol
5mg
(2%)
Sodium
390mg
(16%)
Potassium
180mg
(4%)
Fiber
3g
(12%)
Sugar
4g
(8%)
Vitamin A
81IU
(2%)
Calcium
68mg
(7%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 10 servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 207
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 207kcal | 10% |
| Carbohydrates | 40g | 13% |
| Protein | 7g | 14% |
| Fat | 2g | 3% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Cholesterol | 5mg | 2% |
| Sodium | 390mg | 16% |
| Potassium | 180mg | 4% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 4g | 8% |
| Vitamin A | 81IU | 2% |
| Calcium | 68mg | 7% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.