Description
This Molasses Brown Soda Bread is a hearty, wholesome bread combining all-purpose and whole wheat flours with the subtle sweetness of molasses and the nutty addition of wheat germ. It’s a quick bread that doesn’t require yeast or rising time, making it perfect for a cozy homemade loaf with a tender crumb and slightly sweet flavor, ideal for breakfast or as a comforting snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups (300 g) all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
- 1 ¾ cups (210 g) whole wheat flour
- ¼ cup (20 g) wheat germ
- 1 ½ tsp (9 g) baking soda
- 1 tsp (6 g) salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 ½ cup (375 ml) buttermilk*
- 3 tbsp (45 ml) molasses
- 2 tbsp (28 g) butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 425°F (220°C) to heat up while you prepare the dough.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, wheat germ, baking soda, and salt. Stir them together evenly to ensure consistent leavening and flavor throughout the bread.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the buttermilk, molasses, and melted butter together until fully blended to provide moisture and sweetness to the dough.
- Form Dough: Pour the wet mixture into the bowl with dry ingredients and stir until just combined, avoiding over-mixing to prevent toughness.
- Shape Dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead gently just a couple of times until forming a smooth ball, then pat it into a 7-inch diameter circle. Over-kneading can make the bread dense.
- Prepare for Baking: Lightly flour a baking sheet and place the shaped dough on it. Dust the top of the dough with flour, then use a sharp knife to score a cross about ½ inch deep across the top. This helps the bread bake evenly and gives the classic soda bread appearance.
- Bake: Bake the bread in the preheated oven at 425°F for 15 minutes, then lower the temperature to 375°F (190°C) and continue baking for another 30-35 minutes. The bread is done when it sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
- Cool: After removing the bread from the oven, wrap it in a clean tea towel to cool. The residual steam softens the crust for a tender texture. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- *Buttermilk can be substituted with milk mixed with 1 tbsp lemon juice or vinegar per 1 ½ cups of milk if unavailable.
- Do not over-knead the dough to keep the bread light and tender rather than dense and heavy.
- Scoring the top helps control how the bread expands and enhances its final texture and appearance.
- Use a sharp knife for scoring to avoid tearing the dough unevenly.
- Wrapping the bread in a tea towel retains moisture for a softer crust after baking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45-50 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Irish
Keywords: Molasses soda bread, brown soda bread, Irish bread, quick bread, whole wheat bread, molasses bread
