Irish Brown Bread

Dive into the wholesome simplicity of traditional Irish Brown Bread, a rustic loaf that’s hearty, nourishing, and irresistibly flavorful. Made with coarse-ground wholemeal flour, a touch of all-purpose flour, and just the right amount of baking soda and salt, this quick bread requires no yeast or lengthy proofing—ideal for bakers of all levels. Cold unsalted butter is worked into the dry ingredients, creating a tender crumb, while a combination of tangy buttermilk and a hint of honey delivers a natural sweetness and moist texture. Finished with a classic cross scored on top, this golden-brown loaf bakes to perfection in under 40 minutes. Perfect for pairing with soups, stews, or slathering with creamy Irish butter, this authentic recipe brings a taste of Ireland straight to your kitchen.

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 300 g Wholemeal flour (coarse ground)
• 150 g All-purpose flour
• 1 tsp Baking soda
• 1 tsp Salt
• 40 g Unsalted butter (cold)
• 375 ml Buttermilk
• 1 tbsp Honey

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan if using one.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine the wholemeal flour, all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir well to ensure the dry ingredients are evenly distributed.

Step 3

Cut the cold unsalted butter into small cubes and add it to the dry ingredients. Using your fingers or a pastry cutter, work the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.

Step 4

In a separate small bowl, whisk together the buttermilk and honey until the honey is fully dissolved.

Step 5

Pour the buttermilk mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir gently with a wooden spoon or spatula until a sticky dough forms. Be careful not to overmix.

Step 6

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead it gently for 1-2 minutes to bring it together into a soft ball.

Step 7

Shape the dough into a round loaf if baking on a baking sheet or press it into the prepared loaf pan.

Step 8

Using a sharp knife, score a deep cross on the top of the bread. This allows the bread to expand while baking.

Step 9

Place the dough in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.

Step 10

Remove the bread from the oven and allow it to cool on a wire rack for at least 20 minutes before slicing and serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	908.3 grams (908.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2157

Total Fat 54.20g	69%
Saturated Fat 29.30g	147%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.80g
Cholesterol 130mg	43%
Sodium 4049mg	176%
Total Carbohydrate 366.70g	133%
Dietary Fiber 36.20g	129%
Total Sugars 37.60g
Protein 67.30g	135%

Vitamin D 221IU	1104%
Calcium 574mg	44%
Iron 18mg	100%
Potassium 1791mg	38%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 21.9%

Protein: 12.1%

Carbs: 66.0%