Bread: Irish Brown

Irish Brown Bread is a long-used soda bread recipe made with whole wheat flour, buttermilk and baking soda. A simple, wholesome and savory bread you can enjoy any time of day. Yields 1 loaf or abut 10 thick slices.

What Is Irish Brown Bread?

Irish brown bread is a type of soda bread, meaning this dish uses baking soda (along with buttermilk) to rise, therefore does not need yeast. It usually consists of whole wheat flour, oats, baking soda, butter milk and eggs. Once baked, brown bread can be enjoyed at any meal. It has satisfying tang from the buttermilk and the unique texture is due to the chemical reaction of the buttermilk with baking soda.

This one bowl bread recipe is so simple, nearly effortless and will fill your home with an notable aroma.

Serve as is or toasted with butter, jam or honey. It’s also a great/ accompaniment to soups and stews.

To cook this Irish Brown Bread Recipe Set out:

• butter
• whole wheat flour
• unbleached all-purpose flour
• oats
• baking soda
• fine salt

Melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter and use some of it to grease the inside of a 6×9 bread loaf pan and then set both aside. Saving the reminder of the melted butter for the batter.

In a mixing bowl measure and add in 1-1/2 cups whole wheat flour, 1/3 cup unbleached all-purpose flour, 1/3 cup oats, 2 teaspoons baking soda and 1/2 teaspoons fine salt.

Whisk to combine and scoot off to the side.

In a separate bowl, measure and add 2 cups buttermilk (I’m using regular, not low fat) and 2 large eggs.

Whisk to combine.

Make a well in the dry ingredients and pour in the buttermilk and egg mixture.

Stir until only combined.

Pour in the remaining melted butter.

Stir to incorporate.

Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and give it a few firm taps on the counter to settle and remove any air pockets. Smooth the top of the batter with the spatula. Sprinkle with a few pinches of oats.

After 4o minutes, remove and run a dull knife around the edge of the bread to loosen. Carefully, using oven mitts, invert the bread onto a rimmed sheet pan and flip it right side up. Bake for 10 more minutes.

Once baked, let cool before slicing and serving.

What Do You Serve With Irish Brown Bread?

Irish brown bread can be enjoyed any time of day. Here are a few ways we like to serve it.

• breakfast – Serve as is or toasted with salted butter, jam and/or honey. Or alongside corned beef and hash and eggs.
• lunch – Top toasted slices with Irish cheddar cheese and either sliced tomatoes and onions or sliced tart apples.
• snack – Enjoy a warm slice with tea or coffee.
• dinner – Great accompaniment to corned beef and cabbage chowder, Irish stew or Dublin coddle to name a few.

How To Store Irish Brown Bread?

Store in a air tight container or re-sealable bag at room temperature.

How Long WilL Irish Brown Bread Last?

If store properly, it should last 4 to 5 day.

Enjoy! And if you give this Irish Brown Bread Recipe recipe a try, let me know! Snap a photo and tag me on twitter or instagram!