Description
Molasses Brown Soda Bread is a hearty, rustic Irish classic made with wholesome flours, molasses, and buttermilk. It’s quick to make, requires no yeast, and delivers a crunchy crust with a moist, flavorful interior—perfect for soups, stews, or breakfast spreads.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups whole wheat flour
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 tbsp brown sugar (optional)
- 1 ½ cups buttermilk
- ¼ cup molasses
- 1 tbsp melted butter (for brushing on top)
Optional Add-Ins:
- ½ cup oats (for topping or mixing in)
- ¼ cup chopped nuts or seeds
- 1 tsp caraway seeds
Buttermilk substitute: Mix 1 ½ tbsp lemon juice or vinegar with 1 ½ cups milk and let sit for 10 minutes.
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Set oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment or lightly grease a cast iron skillet.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and brown sugar.
- Add wet ingredients: In another bowl, whisk buttermilk and molasses until smooth.
- Combine: Pour wet ingredients into dry mixture and stir until a rough dough forms. Do not overmix.
- Shape: Form dough into a round loaf, place on prepared sheet, and score a deep “X” on top.
- Bake: Bake 35–45 minutes until golden brown and hollow-sounding when tapped underneath.
- Finish: Brush with melted butter while warm and let cool 15 minutes before slicing.
Notes
- Don’t overmix: Overworking the dough makes the bread dense.
- Preheat your oven: Ensures a strong initial rise.
- Score the top deeply: Helps the bread bake evenly.
- Storage: Keep in an airtight container for up to 3 days at room temperature or freeze for up to 2 months.
- Best served: Warm or toasted with butter, cheese, or honey.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 10mg