Best 4 Authentic Boston Brown Bread Recipes

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## Boston Brown Bread: A New England Classic with a Twist

New England's iconic Boston brown bread is a delightful treat that has been enjoyed for generations. This classic bread is known for its moist, dense texture and subtly sweet flavor, making it a perfect accompaniment to hearty soups and stews. Its distinctive dark brown color comes from the use of molasses, which also imparts a rich and slightly tangy flavor.

This article presents a comprehensive guide to making authentic Boston brown bread, along with variations that add exciting twists to the traditional recipe. From the classic version to creative takes like Chocolate Chip Boston Brown Bread and Blueberry Boston Brown Bread, these recipes offer a range of options to suit every taste. Whether you're a seasoned baker or a novice in the kitchen, these step-by-step instructions will help you create delicious and memorable Boston brown bread that will impress your family and friends. So gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and embark on a culinary journey that celebrates this New England staple.

Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!

BOSTON BROWN BREAD (NEW ENGLAND BROWN BREAD)



Boston Brown Bread (New England Brown Bread) image

Boston Brown Bread is a New England classic recipe - this version has raisins, 100% whole grains, no refined sugar, and baked in a loaf pan.

Provided by Elizabeth Lindemann

Categories     Bread

Time 55m

Number Of Ingredients 13

butter or cooking spray (for greasing the pan)
1/2 cup cornmeal
1/2 cup rye flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon kosher salt
2 tablespoons maple syrup
1/3 cup dark molasses
1 cup whole milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup raisins (golden or regular, or a mix)
salted butter and baked beans (for serving, optional)

Steps:

  • Grease a 9x5 loaf pan (or for a more authentic version, a 29 oz. coffee can) with a generous amount of butter. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Whisk or stir together the cornmeal (1/2 cup), rye flour (1/2 cup), whole wheat flour (1/2 cup), baking powder (1 teaspoon), baking soda (1 teaspoon), and kosher salt (1 teaspoon) in a large mixing bowl.
  • Add the maple syrup (2 tablespoons), molasses (1/3 cup), milk (1 cup), and vanilla extract (1 teaspoon) to the batter and whisk or stir together until everything is combined.
  • Add the raisins to the batter and fold in.
  • Pour batter in prepared baking dish. Cover tightly with foil (so the steam doesn't escape to keep the bread moist).
  • Bake at 350 for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick in the center comes out clean. Allow to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before running a knife around the edge and gently removing it. Cool for 5-10 minutes longer, slice into 10 pieces, and serve slathered with butter with a side of baked beans.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 slice, Calories 150 kcal, Carbohydrate 32 g, Protein 3 g, Fat 2 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, Cholesterol 2 mg, Sodium 360 mg, Fiber 2 g, Sugar 12 g

BROWN BREAD WITH RAISINS



Brown Bread with Raisins image

Created in colonial times and also called Boston brown bread, this authentic dark bread is made with cornmeal and molasses. Originally, it called for rye meal, which was available at the time.

Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Side Dish

Time 1h45m

Yield 32

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 cup Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup whole-grain cornmeal
1 cup raisins
2 cups buttermilk
3/4 cup molasses
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 325°F. Grease 2-quart casserole dish with shortening or cooking spray.
  • In large bowl, beat all ingredients with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds, scraping bowl constantly. Beat on medium speed 30 seconds, scraping bowl constantly. Pour batter into casserole.
  • Bake uncovered about 1 hour or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Immediately loosen sides of bread with metal spatula and remove bread from casserole. Cool 30 minutes on cooling rack before slicing. Serve warm.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 Slice, TransFat 0 g

BOSTON BROWN BREAD



Boston Brown Bread image

Provided by Jasper White

Categories     Bread     Bake     Steam     Thanksgiving

Yield Makes 1 loaf

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 tablespoon unsalted butter for greasing
1 1/2 cups brown-bread flour*
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup dark molasses
1 cup milk
1/2 cup dried currants or raisins
*A specialty of New England, brown-bread flour is a mixture of whole wheat, rye and cornmeal or johnnycake meal. It can be purchased already mixed or made by simply combining equal parts of wheat and rye flour and cornmeal.

Steps:

  • 1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.
  • 2. Generously grease a 1-quart pudding mold or 1-pound coffee can. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt in a mixing bowl. Stir in the molasses and milk. Fold in the currants.
  • 3. Fill the mold or coffee can with batter. It should come up about two-thirds of the way. Cover the top with foil and tie securely with a string to make it airtight.
  • 4. Place in a deep baking pan and fill the pan with boiling water, to come halfway up the side of the mold.
  • 5. Place in the preheated oven and allow to steam for 2 hours, checking the water level after 1 hour. Add more boiling water if needed. Check by sticking a skewer into the bread; it will come out clean when done. Remove string and foil and allow to cool for 1 hour before unmolding.

A BIT NUTTY BOSTON BROWN BREAD



A Bit Nutty Boston Brown Bread image

Hearty and dense, my homemade Boston Brown Bread features hazelnuts for a delightfully nutty taste. Thick slices pair well with just about anything, from soup and stews to pasta and meat entrees. -Lorraine Caland, Shuniah, Ontario

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 1h15m

Yield 2 loaves (12 pieces each).

Number Of Ingredients 8

3 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup all-purpose flour
2-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2-1/2 cups buttermilk
1 cup molasses
1 cup golden raisins
3/4 cup chopped hazelnuts

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, combine the flours, baking soda and salt. In a small bowl, whisk buttermilk and molasses. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in raisins and nuts. Transfer to 2 greased 8x4-in. loaf pans. , Bake at 350° for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 159 calories, Fat 3g fat (0 saturated fat), Cholesterol 1mg cholesterol, Sodium 263mg sodium, Carbohydrate 31g carbohydrate (13g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 4g protein.

Tips:

  • Use fresh ingredients: The fresher your ingredients, the better your bread will taste. This is especially true for the molasses, which should be dark and flavorful. Fresh buttermilk will also yield a better rise in your bread.
  • Don't overmix the batter: Overmixing the batter can result in a tough, dense bread. Mix just until the ingredients are combined and then stop.
  • Let the bread rise in a warm place: A warm place will help the bread rise properly. If your kitchen is cool, you can preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and then turn it off before placing the bread in the oven to rise.
  • Bake the bread at a high temperature: A high temperature will help the bread develop a crispy crust and a moist interior. Bake the bread at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  • Let the bread cool before slicing: This will help the bread hold its shape and prevent it from crumbling.

Conclusion:

Boston brown bread is a delicious and versatile bread that can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It's perfect for sandwiches, toast, or even as a side dish with soup or chili. This authentic Boston brown bread recipe is easy to follow and will yield a delicious and moist loaf of bread that your family and friends will love.

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