Four Provinces Brown Soda Bread

7 Ratings
  • 5 Rating Star 5
  • 4 Rating Star 2
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A soda bread recognizable in Irish households! Easy to make, right densitiy/lightness ratio, with just enough sweetness.

By Sunshine
prep:
10 mins
cook:
25 mins
total:
45 mins
additional:
10 mins
Servings:
12
Max Servings:
12
Nutrition Info
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Ingredients

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease two baking sheets.

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  • Whisk together the egg, buttermilk, and molasses in a bowl until evenly blended; set aside. Stir together the whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, bran, cream of tartar, and baking soda in a separate large bowl, and make a well in the center. Pour the buttermilk mixture into the well, and stir until a soft dough forms. Stir in the golden raisins, then turn the dough out onto a well floured work surface, and knead 8 to 10 times before dividing into two round balls. Place the balls on the baking sheets and use a sharp knife to cut a 1/2 inch deep X into the tops of the dough balls. Brush with melted butter.

  • Place the loaves into the preheated oven, and reduce the temperature to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until golden brown. Wrap the loaves in light cotton towels for 10 minutes after they are removed from the oven.

Nutrition Facts

Per Serving:
218.04 calories; 7.24 g protein; 45.42 g carbohydrates; 2.11 g fat; 18.52 mg cholesterol; 153.08 mg sodium.Full Nutrition

Reviews (5)

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Most helpful positive review

sueb
03/17/2009
Great taste! Baking time needs to be increased to 30-35 mins! I used both golden and seedless Thompson raisins. Because of the moisture the amount of cream of tartar is correct this was not crumbly. The density and consistency were good!
Helpful
(19)

Most helpful critical review

EILISH40
07/04/2008
The combination is good for Irish soda bread (molasses always gives it a kick) but 1 tbls. cream of tartar - no way. Cream of tartar is drying and bread will be very crumbly. Suggest 1 tsp. of baking powder be substituted. I was weaned on Irish Soda bread both with and without molasses. Hope someone trys this method.
Helpful
(38)
7 Ratings
  • 5 Rating Star 5
  • 4 Rating Star 2
Reviews:
Most Helpful Most Positive Least Positive Newest
EILISH40
07/04/2008
The combination is good for Irish soda bread (molasses always gives it a kick) but 1 tbls. cream of tartar - no way. Cream of tartar is drying and bread will be very crumbly. Suggest 1 tsp. of baking powder be substituted. I was weaned on Irish Soda bread both with and without molasses. Hope someone trys this method.
Helpful
(38)
sueb
03/17/2009
Great taste! Baking time needs to be increased to 30-35 mins! I used both golden and seedless Thompson raisins. Because of the moisture the amount of cream of tartar is correct this was not crumbly. The density and consistency were good!
Helpful
(19)
Renee
03/17/2013
This bread was amazing! It had a perfect sweetness and texture that I'm sure is characteristic of traditional soda bread. The crust reminded me of a pretzel. I made it with 1 tsp baking powder and 1 tsp. cream of tarter ommitted the wheat bran and raisens because I was out and made my own buttermilk with lowfat milk and vinegar. Everyone loved it this will be a new St. Patrick's Day tradition in our family!
Helpful
(2)
madamedetreymes
11/05/2012
Very easy and tasty. Out of necessity I had to alter a few things. I was running low on whole wheat flour and molasses so I used 2 cups whole wheat flour and 2 cups all-purpose flour and only two tablespoons of molasses. I decided not to add the raisins because I wanted a more savory bread and for this reason I also added 3/4 tsp salt as most soda bread recipes I've used before call for some salt. I'm not sure how much of a difference these changes made. I followed the recipe on everything else including the tartar using reconstituted powdered buttermilk instead of fresh as this is what I keep in my fridge. What I loved about this bread was the texture and the almost nutty flavor that the bran lends it. It bakes into two small brown loaves that are crusty on the outside and just the right density inside. It feels much heartier and healthier than white Irish soda bread. I served it with butter alongside stewed lentils and a mixed green salad. Everyone loved it. It served three people with a little less than half a loaf left over. Highly recommended for when you want a hearty home cooked bread on short notice!
phantom
03/18/2014
Easy Wonderful. Have made it as per recipe and have added glazed fruit for a breakfast coffee cake. The banshee howled and clapped her hands.