Irish Brown Bread is a traditional soda bread recipe made with equal parts whole wheat flour and white flour. It has incredible flavor and texture and is so easy to throw together!
Irish brown bread is a time-tested recipe that deserves a spot in your baking repertoire!
Irish soda breads are so much fun to make, especially if you’re a novice baker, because with just a bowl and a spoon you can have a satisfying bread in the oven in a matter of minutes. This hearty loaf makes a great breakfast or side to all sorts of meals. I’ve also made classic soda bread with oat flour, and sometimes in scone form ~ all baking should be this easy!
what is the difference between Irish brown bread and Irish soda bread?
Irish brown bread is a traditional version of Irish soda bread made with part, or all, whole wheat flour. The whole wheat flour gives this already-rustic bread an even heartier taste and texture, along with all the added health benefits of cooking with whole grains. I used a mixture of white and wheat flour here to keep the bread from becoming too dense, but you will still notice the distinctive taste, color, and texture, that the whole wheat four adds.
Irish brown bread FAQ’s
- how do soda breads (like Irish brown bread) work?
- Soda breads are so simple to make because they require no yeast, no rising time, and no kneading. So how does that work? The simple combination of baking soda (a basic, high ph, ingredient) and buttermilk (an acidic, low ph, ingredient) combine to form carbon dioxide bubbles in the dough, which provide lift and structure to the bread as it bakes in the oven.
- Soda bread has a denser and crumblier texture than the yeast-risen breads most of us are used to eating, but it’s no less delicious and has a simple appeal that I love.
- why do we cut a cross in the top of soda bread?
- technically the cross in the dough helps the bread cook through evenly in the oven. But the superstition in Ireland is that the cross lets the fairies escape and wards off evil!
- can I use all whole wheat flour in this recipe?
- You can, but just know you will get a slightly denser loaf of bread.
- can I add raisins or dried currants to this recipe?
- Yes, absolutely! Feel free to add raisins or currants to this recipe, you can add them without any other changes. I would add about 2/3 cup – 1 cup depending on how “raisin-y” you want it to be.
what to serve with Irish brown bread
This versatile loaf can be eaten any time of day, here are just a few of my favorite ways to serve it.
- For breakfast, simply toasted and served with plenty of good butter and jam.
- Alongside all sorts of soups and stews, whenever you might serve biscuits.
- For a snack with thick slices of sharp white cheddar cheese and some slices of apple.
- Round out a main dish like Dublin coddle or whiskey braised short ribs.
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Irish Brown Bread
Irish Brown Bread is a simple and delicious recipe for soda bread made with whole wheat flour.
Servings: 10 servings
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.
Notes
*This recipe is from Darina Allen
Nutrition
Calories: 207 kcal · Carbohydrates: 40 g · Protein: 7 g · Fat: 2 g · Saturated Fat: 1 g · Polyunsaturated Fat: 1 g · Monounsaturated Fat: 1 g · Cholesterol: 5 mg · Sodium: 390 mg · Potassium: 180 mg · Fiber: 3 g · Sugar: 4 g · Vitamin A: 81 IU · Calcium: 68 mg · Iron: 2 mg
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although The View from Great Island attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
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Fabulous recipe! Just got back from a trip to Ireland and I came here to look for a Brown Bread recipe similar to what I had there and did it!!!
Wonderful, easy, delicious recipe. I first made this the morning of St. Paddy’s Day and I quickly realized I’d need to make another loaf before friends arrived for dinner because it was being eaten so fast. Don’t be scared off by the whole wheat flour. The finished product is very well balanced. I’m going to try curing my own boiling bacon joint for the holiday this year, but this bread will definitely be on the table again.
Thanks so much Greg, and good luck with the bacon!
I love this recipe but I’m used to soda bread with raisins like they make it in Ireland. What adjustments would I need to make to add raisins? My dad used to make soda bread but I never tried it before. This recipe is so easy I’m eager to try it!!!
You can just fold in the raisins, no adjustment needed. I do have a recipe for Spotted Dog Irish Soda Bread, which includes raisins.
SO good! And SO easy! Looks so professional. I’ve made this a couple of times now with perfect results. Crust is j-u-s-t crunchy enough but not crumbly or hard to chew. I’m thinking this might work for French Toast – it’ll stand up to the egg mixture.
Love it!
Can you add golden raisins or other fruit?
Yes totally, you can add to this recipes, and also see my spotted dog soda bread recipe.