I’m pretty sure that this will be the most boring recipe I’ll ever post here. It’s not gooey, not sweet, and it’s not the least bit pretty. But I was torn – do I want to post something dyed green for St. Patrick’s Day or something that’s actually Irish? Being as I’m all Irish, on both sides, I decided to represent. ;)
I’ve been to Ireland twice. The first trip was with my family and we drove around the countryside and visited our distant cousins on their farm. They fed us with about eight different potato dishes, and this was after we had called them to tell them that we weren’t hungry and had just eaten. Not only do Irish people (in general) appear to love their potatoes, but they’re so incredibly friendly.
Yes. Irish people are awesome. And my second trip to Ireland was with Mr. Texanerin and our pictures from this trip were horrible so I won’t post any. Instead, I bring you lambs!
If you rent a car and drive aimlessly around the Irish countryside, you are sure to come across some sheep action.
It’s almost spring so I thought I’d get us in the mood with some cute little lambs. I hope you don’t mind. I mean, it’s the perfect excuse for me to post cute animal pictures.
So. This bread. I think it’s an acquired taste. I quite enjoyed it but I don’t think it’s something I’d want every day. If you don’t like whole wheat bread and molasses, don’t make this. But if you do enjoy a good loaf of hearty and healthy bread, then here you go!
There’s no yeast involved and no rising time, so this is a great last minute bread to go alongside your (lambless!) stew.
Be careful not to overbake this! It’ll be crumbly if you do so. It had a nice, soft texture and is better on the day of baking (but isn’t all bread?)
There’s something very important that you have to do which I didn’t do very well. You see in that first picture how there’s an X in the bread? You absolutely must do this in order to allow the fairies to escape. It’s true! I forgot my X up until I heard something which sounded like screaming, about 30 seconds into baking, and immediately removed the loaf from the oven to cut the X. No more screams were to be heard. ;)
I didn’t come up with this fairy theory, okay? I just followed it.
When I look at pictures of Irish soda bread online, it appears that the loaves are usually thicker. If you want it thicker, just don’t flatten out the dough so thin (mine was about 1 1/4″) and adjust the baking time.
I had an Irish colleague over recently and she introduced me to Kerrygold. It was my first time trying it and it’s SO good! So I recommend using Kerrygold in this recipe. You could also use coconut oil if you prefer.
Now be like these good little lambs and go run off to the kitchen to make some bread.
100% Whole Grain Brown Soda Bread
- Prep Time:
- Cook Time:
- Ready in:
- Yield: 12 servings
Ingredients
- 3 1/4 cups (400 grams) whole wheat flour
- 1/2 cup (45 grams) rolled or traditional oats
- 1/4 cup (.6dl) oat bran or more oats
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons (44 grams) molasses
- 1 1/2 cups (355ml) buttermilk
- 1/3 cup (76 grams) melted butter
- 1 tablespoon (14 grams) butter
- 2 tablespoons oat bran or oats
To top the loaf:
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and butter a 9" cast iron skillet or a 9" cake pan that has 2" sides.
- Combine all the dry ingredients in a large bowl (flour through baking soda) and set this bowl aside.
- In a medium bowl, mix together the remaining ingredients (egg through 1/3 cup melted butter). Add this to the dry mixture and stir. It will be sticky but you don't need to add more flour and you don't not need to knead the dough.
- Scoop the dough into the prepared skillet or pan. I formed mine in a circle so that it was about 1 1/4" thick. You can make it thinner or thicker, depending on your preference. Just remember to adjust the baking time.
- Brush the top with the tablespoon of melted butter and using a bread knife, cut an X, about 3/4" deep, into the loaf. Sprinkle the two tablespoons of oat bran or oats over the loaf.
- Bake for 18 - 23 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Let the bread cool in the pan for about 5 minutes and then remove the bread and let it cool on a cooling rack until ready to serve. Best when served warm!
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39 comments on “100% Whole Grain Brown Soda Bread” — Add one!
I made this for St. Patrick’s Day this year. I’m glad I found it again. I wanted to add it to a journal I’m keeping of all the things I’m making with my son. I may turn it into a book sometime! I have written down the URL and will make sure I’m subscribed. These recipes might be turned into some more visual directions, as my son is autistic and needs a lot of visual instruction.
Here is another blog I write. I need to update, though.
adancewithdisability.wordpress.com
So the cookbook is for your son to make the recipes himself? That’s so neat! I hope that you all enjoyed the bread and thanks so much for your comment. :)
Okay – your bread is NOT boring at all in fact it is quite the opposite – exciting! It looks amazing. I visited Ireland years ago and loved every day. I love your photos of the lambs – they are super cute!
This isn't boring at all! I LOVE Ireland and I Love Irish brown bread. I've been to visit several times and I feel like it's my second home. We have close friends there who are like family and they've taken us everywhere. I do agree that Irish people are awesome and I don't say that just because I have Irish blood running through my veins. :) I have my favorite brown bread recipe but I'd like to try your whole grain version next time. Beautiful!
I actually love the look of that bread! It looks really cool :) And the lambs are so cute!!! :D
Those sheep are sooo cute! And your soda bread looks gorgeous :)
Thanks, Kristi! And my sheep thank you for loving on them. ;)
I love soda bread! You just reminded me to make some again :)
Do you have a recipe that you like? I loved this one but I'm curious what a non-whole wheat one tastes like!
Are you trying to make me cry? Those lambs are soooo freaking cute. You think this is a boring post? Maybe I'm weird, but I get VERY excited about bread! I have to send something with my boyfriend for a potluck on Friday (why yes, I do think it's strange that I have to make something for him to bring that I don't get to eat ;-)). It has to be Irish, so this is just what I was looking for :)
I get excited about bread too but normally when it's fluffy and buttery and mmm… now I want to bake dinner rolls. And haha, that stinks that you don't get to eat what you make. That's why I usually make something like cookies or brownies. I've even been known to make cake and cut it into pieces (so I can sample before sending it away ;)) I hope you like the bread! Let me know how it turns out.
I'm Irish, too! I'll be posting a boozy milkshake this week. I don't know what you're talking about… This bread is gorgeous! The hubs and I plan on taking a trip to Ireland in the next 3 years. Hopefully, I'll have an array of lenses by then.
Yay, go to Ireland! Promise me you'll explore the countryside and not just the cities. :) And Happy St. Patrick's Day to you several days in advance, my Irish friend! Can't wait to see your milkshake. :)
Lambs and perfect looking bread. I'm sold! This was a fun post :)
Thanks, Melissa! I'm so happy you thought it was fun. Baby animals always make things fun. Perhaps I need to randomly insert more pictures like that. I know I'd be happy if other people did that. ;)
I can't get over how cute those baby lambs are :) I love the idea of a whole grain irish soda bread, and your photos are wonderful. (p.s. I'm a big Kerry Gold fan too – it's so creamy and wonderful – just like butter should be).
I can't believe I hadn't tried it before now! And it's all over here. Just silly, I was! I thought, "Eh… it's just a marketing thing." Nope!
Baby lambs and Irish soda bread…? I'm in love!
What if we could take the soda bread and… feed it to the baby lambs? YES! But I bet that's not good for them. So maybe not.
Erin, I've never been to Ireland, but I really, really, really want to! I have never tried soda bread, too, can you believe? This has to all change. Soon! I like the rustic feel of this bread, as well. Very home-y and inviting, like a warm fire roaring :)
You've gotta go! It's absolutely lovely and so are the people. :) And if you like rustic, then here you go. Super rustic-y! And whoa… a warm fire roaring. Love your comment!
I dream of going to Ireland one day. Those photos of the little lambs you chose are so so cute! I would love a chunk of this with Kerrygold and some jam for breakfast tomorrow:)
You should really go! Dublin is great and all, but the countryside is so nice. :) And then you can see little lambs on the side of the road. Fun!
I've seen a few other recipes for soda bread this week but I love your whole grain version, looks delish!
Thank you! I'm also seeing a ton of other recipes. Oh well. Way to be original. ;)
I don't think this bread is boring at all! Especially with screaming fairies and all :) Soo cute lambs and I can still remember how AWESOME Kerrygold butter is!
Thanks, Regina! I'm happy someone liked the screaming fairies. ;) Hey, Germany now has store brand Irish butter everywhere. Crazy, huh? Even Aldi and Netto have their own "Irish Butter." But KerryGold is better!
I love the lamb photos and I would not eat lamb stew for sure now! I like how earthy this bread looks and your right perfect for the last minute bread.
Thanks! And I just had to throw that lamb-less thing in there. I'm not a vegetarian but eating sheep? And baby cows? And geese? They're so cute! And yes, adult cows, turkey, chickens, etc. are cute. I'm a total hypocrite. :/
Awwww!!! I want a lamb! It's. So. CUTE! :3
And I don't think the bread looks plain at all. It looks really good. I believe I made Irish soda bread last year or the year before and my picture are baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad. Like really bad, haha.
Me too, Becca! When I'm all big and grown and have a house, I want lambs, donkeys (they're for Mr. T), ducks (they're gonna have their own pond!) and some dogs. And now I have to go look for your "terrible pictures." :)
I was looking for a good whole grain soda bread recipe. this looks wonderful. Thanks!
I hope you'll like it! It's certainly very special.
Sweet little lambs and your soda bread looks just delicious ;-)
Thank you! And yes, I have to admit that I keep coming back here. Just for the lambs. ;)
I made Irish Soda bread once years ago, and it was a mess. I have been meaning to try it again, this looks so hearty and delicious.
Oh no. How was it a mess? This version is at least super easy. :)
Adorable lambs! :) Your soda bread looks so hearty and good (I'm a carbaholic, so I've never met a bread I didn't like ;)).
Aren't they cute?! I spent hours (it's sad, I know) this morning looking for lamb pictures that I could use legally and found these little guys.
Aww. I want a lamb! :D
Oh and yes, happy you like the bread. ;)