Go Back
Irish Brown Bread and Bulmers, Kinnitty Castle, County Offaly, Ireland
Print Pin

Irish Brown Bread (pan loaf)

This quick, hearty bread is perfect with any meal - or even on its own with a layer of creamy Kerrygold spread on top.
Keyword brown bread, Irish food
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 1 loaf
Calories 277kcal
Author Jody Halsted

Ingredients

  • 1 3/4 c all purpose flour
  • 1 3/4 c whole wheat flour
  • 3 T toasted wheat bran
  • 3 T toasted wheat germ
  • 2 T toasted old fashioned oats
  • 2 T dark brown sugar packed
  • 1 t baking soda
  • 1/2 t salt
  • 2 T (1/4 stick) chilled unsalted butter, cut into pieces
  • 2 c buttermilk use a bit more if the mix is dry
  • 2 T molasses or honey OPTIONAL
  • 1-2 T toasted sunflower seeds or pepitas pumpkin seeds OPTIONAL

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
  • Butter a 9x5x3 loaf pan.
  • Combine first 8 ingredients (through the salt) in a large bowl; mix well.
  • Add butter pieces; rub in with fingertips until mixture resembles a fine meal.
  • Whisk together molasses and buttermilk.
  • Stir in enough buttermilk mixture to form a soft dough. Sprinkle in seeds, leaving a few for the top of the loaf.
  • Transfer to prepared loaf pan. Sprinkle on remaining seeds, if desired.
  • Bake until bread is dark brown and tester inserted in center comes out clean- about 40 minutes.
  • Cool out of pan, right side up on rack.

Notes

While you can use a powdered buttermilk, this recipe really is better with fresh.