Skip to main content

Brown Bread (Baked) Recipe

Brown Bread (Baked) Recipe

Brown bread, especially when baked, is a classic comfort food that brings warmth and a sense of tradition to the table. This hearty loaf, made with a blend of Indian meal, rye meal, and a touch of molasses, offers a rich, earthy flavor with a subtle sweetness. It’s perfect for breakfast, as a side dish, or even as a snack. Let’s explore how to create this delicious and rustic bread from scratch.

Brown Bread (Baked) Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 1 cupful of Indian meal (cornmeal): This coarsely ground cornmeal adds a distinct texture and a slightly sweet, nutty flavor to the bread. It also contributes to the bread's golden color and hearty consistency.
  • 1 cupful of molasses (scant): Molasses provides the bread with its characteristic deep sweetness and dark color. It’s important to use just under a full cup to balance the sweetness without overwhelming the other flavors.
  • 1 cupful of rye meal: Rye meal, which is ground from rye grain, brings a robust and slightly tangy taste to the bread. It also adds density, making the loaf more filling.
  • 1/2 cupful of flour: All-purpose flour helps to bind the ingredients together and gives the bread a bit more structure. It also lightens the texture slightly, making the loaf easier to slice.
  • 1 cupful of milk or water: The choice between milk and water can slightly alter the texture and flavor of the bread. Milk will make the bread richer and more tender, while water will give it a more traditional, rustic feel.
  • 1 teaspoonful of soda (baking soda): Baking soda is essential for leavening, helping the bread to rise and giving it a lighter, airier texture. It reacts with the acidity of the molasses, creating bubbles that lift the dough during baking.

Procedure:

  1. Prepare the Dry Ingredients: Start by mixing the Indian meal, rye meal, and flour in a large bowl. Stir these dry ingredients together thoroughly to ensure an even distribution. This step is crucial for achieving a consistent texture in the final loaf, where each bite delivers the right balance of flavors.

  2. Activate the Soda: In a separate small bowl or measuring cup, combine the baking soda with the molasses. Stir the mixture until the molasses begins to foam. This reaction indicates that the soda is properly activated and will provide the necessary lift when the bread bakes. The foaming also ensures that the baking soda is evenly distributed throughout the bread.

  3. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Pour the foaming molasses mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Add the cupful of milk or water, depending on your preference. Milk will make the bread softer, while water will keep it closer to traditional brown bread’s slightly denser texture. Stir the mixture gently but thoroughly until all the ingredients are fully combined. The batter should be thick but pourable, similar to a cake batter.

  4. Prepare for Baking: If you have a tin pail, this is the ideal baking vessel for this recipe, as it mimics the traditional method used to bake brown bread. Grease the inside of the pail well to prevent sticking. Pour the batter into the prepared pail, filling it about two-thirds of the way to allow space for the bread to rise. Cover the pail tightly with its lid or with a piece of aluminum foil.

  5. Bake the Bread: Preheat your oven to a moderate temperature, around 325°F (160°C). Place the covered pail in the oven and bake for two and a half hours. The long, slow baking time allows the flavors to develop fully and the bread to cook evenly. During baking, the bread will rise and set, creating a moist and tender loaf with a dense crumb.

  6. Cool and Serve: After baking, remove the pail from the oven and let it cool slightly before removing the bread. The bread should have a firm texture and a rich, brown color. Slice the bread thickly and serve warm, perhaps with a pat of butter or a drizzle of honey, to complement its deep, molasses-rich flavor.

Approximate Calorie Count:

This baked brown bread is relatively dense and filling, with each slice providing about 150-200 calories, depending on the size of the slice and whether you use milk or water. A loaf typically yields about 10-12 slices, so the entire loaf would be around 1500-2400 calories. The molasses contributes a significant portion of the calories, along with the Indian meal and rye meal.

Labels:

Popular Recipes

Boston Brown Bread Recipe

Boston Brown Bread Recipe Boston Brown Bread is a classic dish with deep roots in American culinary tradition. This hearty, slightly sweet bread is traditionally steamed, giving it a dense yet moist texture that makes it distinct from other types of bread. Whether you're looking to explore traditional recipes or add something new to your repertoire, Boston Brown Bread is a delightful choice. Here’s how you can create this timeless treat in your own kitchen. Ingredients: 1 cupful of rye meal: This type of meal is made from ground rye and adds a rich, earthy flavor to the bread. It contributes to the dense texture and slightly tangy taste that Boston Brown Bread is known for. 1 cupful of sour milk: Sour milk helps to activate the baking soda, giving the bread its rise. It also adds a subtle tang that complements the sweetness of the molasses. 1 cupful of graham meal: Graham meal, a coarsely ground whole wheat flour, brings a hearty texture to the bread. It adds fiber and a slight
Read this Recipe >>

Bannocks Bread Recipe

Bannocks Bread Recipe Bannocks are a delightful, old-fashioned treat that has been cherished for generations. These small, fried cakes are simple to make and offer a comforting blend of flavors and textures. Traditionally enjoyed warm and paired with maple syrup, bannocks are perfect for a cozy breakfast or a sweet snack. Let's walk through the process of making this classic dish, step by step. Ingredients: 1 cupful of thick sour milk: This ingredient adds a subtle tanginess to the bannocks, contributing to their unique flavor. The acidity of the sour milk also reacts with the baking soda, helping the bannocks rise and become light and fluffy. 2 cupfuls of flour: All-purpose flour forms the base of the bannock dough, providing structure and a neutral flavor that balances the sweetness from the sugar and the richness from the egg. Milk (as needed):  Milk may be required to achieve the correct consistency for the batter. The milk helps to thin the dough slightly, making it easier t
Read this Recipe >>

Jenny Lind Cake Recipe

Jenny Lind Cake Recipe The Jenny Lind Cake is a charming, old-fashioned treat that offers a simple yet satisfying experience. Named after the famous 19th-century Swedish opera singer, Jenny Lind, this cake reflects the elegance and simplicity of the era. This cake is light, mildly sweet, and pairs wonderfully with a pat of butter while still warm. Let’s walk through the steps to create this timeless dessert. Ingredients: 3 Cupfuls of Flour: Flour forms the base of your cake, providing structure and giving it that classic cake texture. For this recipe, all-purpose flour is ideal, but you could experiment with different types for varied results. 1 Tablespoonful of Melted Butter: Butter adds richness and flavor to the cake. The melted butter ensures it blends smoothly into the batter, giving the cake a tender crumb. 1/2 Cupful of Sugar: Sugar sweetens the cake, but in this recipe, it’s used modestly to keep the flavor balanced. The sugar also helps to create a light, golden crust on t
Read this Recipe >>

Frosted Lemon Pie Recipe

Frosted Lemon Pie Recipe If you’re craving a dessert that’s both tangy and sweet, a frosted lemon pie might just be your perfect match. This classic treat combines a zesty lemon filling with a fluffy meringue topping for a delightful balance of flavors. Here’s a detailed guide on how to create this refreshing pie. Ingredients You'll Need 1 Lemon : Fresh lemon juice and zest are crucial for the pie’s bright, citrusy flavor. Make sure to zest the lemon before juicing it. 3 Eggs : You’ll need both the yolks and whites. The yolks are used in the filling, while the whites are whipped into a meringue for the topping. 1 Cup of Sugar : This will sweeten the pie filling and meringue. Adjust the amount based on your preference for sweetness. 2 Tablespoons of Flour : Helps thicken the lemon filling and give it a nice, creamy texture. 1 1/2 Cups of Milk : Provides the liquid base for the filling. Whole milk works best for a rich and creamy texture. Pie Crust : You’ll need a pre-baked pie crus
Read this Recipe >>

Cream of Tartar Biscuits Recipe

Cream of Tartar Biscuits Recipe Cream of Tartar Biscuits are a staple in many kitchens, offering a quick and easy way to create light, fluffy biscuits that pair perfectly with a variety of dishes. Whether served with butter and jam for breakfast, or alongside a hearty stew for dinner, these biscuits are versatile and delicious. With a handful of simple ingredients, you can whip up a batch of these classic biscuits in no time. Ingredients: 1 pint of flour: The base of the biscuits, providing the structure. Flour is essential for giving the biscuits their soft, tender crumb. 1 teaspoonful of soda (baking soda): This acts as a leavening agent, helping the biscuits rise and become airy. When combined with an acid like cream of tartar, it produces carbon dioxide gas, which creates the light texture. 2 teaspoonfuls of cream of tartar: This is the acidic component that reacts with the baking soda to leaven the biscuits. It also adds a subtle tanginess that enhances the flavor. 1/2 teaspoo
Read this Recipe >>

Corn Meal Gems Recipe

Corn Meal Gems Recipe Corn Meal Gems are a classic baked good that offers a delicious combination of cornmeal's earthy flavor and the lightness of a traditional muffin. These little gems are perfect for breakfast, a snack, or as an accompaniment to your favorite meal. They’re easy to make and require just a few basic ingredients, making them a great option for both novice and experienced bakers. Ingredients: 2 cupfuls of flour: This provides the base structure for the gems, giving them a soft and tender crumb. 1 teaspoonful of baking soda: Baking soda acts as a leavening agent, helping the gems rise and achieve a light, airy texture. It reacts with the acid in the cream of tartar to create carbon dioxide bubbles that expand during baking. 1 cupful of cornmeal (bolted is best): Cornmeal adds a slightly gritty texture and a rich, sweet flavor to the gems. Bolted cornmeal, which has been sifted to remove larger particles, creates a smoother texture. 1 egg: The egg helps bind the i
Read this Recipe >>

Tapioca Cream Recipe

Tapioca Cream Recipe Tapioca cream is a classic dessert known for its smooth, creamy texture and subtly sweet flavor. It’s a wonderful treat for those who enjoy a comforting and satisfying dessert. This dish combines the delicate pearls of tapioca with a rich custard-like base, making it perfect for a light, yet indulgent finish to any meal. Ingredients for Tapioca Cream: 1 Quart of Milk : The milk forms the base of this creamy dessert. Whole milk is ideal for a rich and smooth texture, but you can use any type of milk based on your preference. 1 Teaspoonful of Cornstarch : Cornstarch helps to thicken the mixture, giving the cream its desired consistency. 5 Tablespoonfuls of Tapioca : Tapioca pearls are the star of this dish. They provide a delightful texture and absorb the flavors of the milk and sugar. 2/3 Cupful of Sugar : The sugar sweetens the dessert, balancing the richness of the milk and the tapioca’s natural flavor. 3 Eggs : Eggs add richness and help to thicken the cream fur
Read this Recipe >>

Doughnuts Recipe

Doughnuts Recipe There's something irresistibly comforting about homemade doughnuts . Soft on the inside with a crisp, golden exterior, these doughnuts offer a sweet, spiced flavor that can make any moment special. The recipe I'm sharing today is straightforward, requiring simple ingredients that come together to create a delightful treat. Let’s dive into the process of making these classic doughnuts. Ingredients: 1 egg: This acts as a binder, holding the dough together and adding moisture to create a soft, tender crumb. 1 teaspoonful of soda (baking soda): Baking soda is a leavening agent that helps the doughnuts rise, giving them a light and fluffy texture. 1 cupful of milk: Milk adds moisture to the dough, making it easier to mix and contributing to the soft texture of the final product. A piece of butter the size of a walnut: Butter adds richness and flavor, helping to create a tender, melt-in-your-mouth doughnut. 1 and 1/3 cupfuls of sugar: Sugar not only sweetens the
Read this Recipe >>

Graham Bread Recipe

Graham Bread Recipe Graham bread is a wholesome and hearty option, perfect for those who enjoy the earthy, slightly sweet flavor of whole grain. This recipe is straightforward and relies on a few key ingredients that come together to create a dense, flavorful loaf. Ideal for breakfast or as a side to a hearty soup, this bread is both nutritious and delicious. Let’s walk through the steps to make this easy Graham bread. Ingredients: 1 pint of Graham meal: Graham meal, a type of whole wheat flour, is the star ingredient of this bread. It gives the loaf its characteristic coarse texture and rich flavor, making it more robust than regular white bread. 1 teaspoonful of soda (baking soda): Baking soda acts as a leavening agent, helping the bread rise slightly and ensuring it doesn’t become too dense. 1/2 cupful of molasses: Molasses adds a deep, rich sweetness to the bread, balancing the earthiness of the Graham meal. It keeps the bread from drying out. 1/2 teaspoonful of salt: Salt enh
Read this Recipe >>