Irish Brown Bread Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 cups (250g) wholemeal flour 2 cups (250g) wholemeal flour
• 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon honey 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 3/4 cups (415ml) buttermilk 1 3/4 cups (415ml) buttermilk

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 180 kcal / 753 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 1g, 0g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 38g, 4g
• Protein: 6g
• Fiber: 5g
• Salt: 0.8g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F) and lightly grease a baking sheet.
2. 2.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the wholemeal flour, all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt.
3. 3.
   Add the honey to the buttermilk and stir until dissolved.
4. 4.
   Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the buttermilk mixture.
5. 5.
   Stir the ingredients together until a sticky dough forms.
6. 6.
   Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead it a few times to bring it together.
7. 7.
   Shape the dough into a round loaf and place it on the prepared baking sheet.
8. 8.
   Use a sharp knife to score a deep cross on the top of the loaf.
9. 9.
   Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
10. 10.
    Remove from the oven and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Wholemeal flour — Make sure to use wholemeal flour for its distinct flavor and texture. If unavailable, you can substitute with whole wheat flour.
• Buttermilk — If you don't have buttermilk, you can make a substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to 1 3/4 cups of milk. Let it sit for 5 minutes before using.

Tips & Tricks

• For a richer flavor, you can add a handful of chopped nuts or seeds to the dough before baking.
• To achieve a softer crust, wrap the freshly baked bread in a clean kitchen towel while it cools.
• Leftover bread can be toasted and enjoyed with a variety of toppings, such as avocado, smoked salmon, or cream cheese.

Serving advice

Serve Irish Brown Bread warm or at room temperature. It pairs perfectly with a generous spread of Irish butter or your favorite jam. Enjoy it as a side with soups, stews, or salads, or use it as a base for open-faced sandwiches.

Presentation advice

To showcase the rustic charm of Irish Brown Bread, present it on a wooden cutting board or a traditional Irish bread basket. You can also sprinkle some extra wholemeal flour on top for an authentic touch.