Boston brown bread is a classic New England quick bread, known for its moist, dense texture and slightly sweet flavor. It originated in the 19th century as a way to use up leftover molasses and cornmeal. With its signature dark brown exterior and soft, tender crumb, Boston brown bread has become a staple at many New England gatherings. This article presents two beloved recipes for Boston brown bread: a traditional version made with molasses and a modern rendition that incorporates raisins and walnuts for added texture and flavor. Both recipes are easy to follow and yield a delicious, comforting loaf perfect for any occasion.
Let's cook with our recipes!
AUTHENTIC BOSTON BROWN BREAD
The rustic, old-fashioned flavor of this hearty Boston brown bread is out of this world! -Sharon Delaney-Chronis, South Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Provided by Taste of Home
Time 1h10m
Yield 1 loaf (12 slices).
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- In a large bowl, combine the first six ingredients. In another bowl, whisk the buttermilk, molasses, brown sugar and oil. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in walnuts and raisins. Transfer to a greased 8x4-in. loaf pan; cover with foil., Place pan on a rack in a boiling-water canner or other large, deep pot; add 1 in. of hot water to pot. Bring to a gentle boil; cover and steam for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, adding more water to the pot as needed. , Remove pan from the pot; let stand for 10 minutes before removing bread from pan to a wire rack. Serve with cream cheese if desired.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 124 calories, Fat 3g fat (0 saturated fat), Cholesterol 1mg cholesterol, Sodium 145mg sodium, Carbohydrate 23g carbohydrate (10g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 3g protein. Diabetic Exchanges
BOSTON BROWN BREAD
Provided by Alton Brown
Categories side-dish
Time 2h30m
Yield 2 (4-inch) loaves
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Move a rack to the bottom third of the oven and heat the oven to 325 degrees F.
- Spray the insides of the cans with nonstick spray and place set a deep 3-quart oven-safe pot. Begin heating enough boiling water to come halfway up the sides of the cans when poured into the pot.
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the wheat flour, rye flour, cornmeal, baking soda, baking powder, salt and allspice. Add the molasses, buttermilk, vanilla and zest and whisk to combine. Divide the mixture evenly between the prepared cans. Cover the top with a double thickness of aluminum foil and tie securely with string. Pour the boiling water into the pot. Carefully place in the oven and bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until the edges of the bread begin to pull away from the sides of the cans. Remove the cans from the pot of water, uncover, place on a cooling rack and cool 1 hour before removing bread from the cans. Serve with baked beans or slice, toast and serve with cream cheese.
BOSTON BROWN BREAD III
Absolutely fabulous, tastes just like the brown bread I had on my trip to Boston!
Provided by PARADIGMGIRL
Categories 100+ Breakfast and Brunch Recipes Breakfast Bread Recipes
Time 1h
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x5 inch loaf pan, knocking out excess flour.
- In a large bowl, whisk together whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, baking soda, and brown sugar. Mix in molasses and buttermilk until just combined. Pour batter into prepared pan.
- Bake for one hour, or until done. Cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes, and then remove from pan. Cool completely before slicing.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 188.3 calories, Carbohydrate 41.5 g, Cholesterol 1.6 mg, Fat 0.8 g, Fiber 2.7 g, Protein 5.2 g, SaturatedFat 0.3 g, Sodium 453.6 mg, Sugar 17.7 g
BOSTON BROWN BREAD
A New England staple, this wholesome bread uses three different kinds of flour and is baked in a can. Martha made this recipe on episode 706 of Martha Bakes.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Breakfast & Brunch Recipes Bread Recipes
Yield Makes 1 large or 2 small loaves
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees with the rack placed in the lower third. Generously butter one 28-ounce can (or two 15 1/2-ounce cans). Set a kettle of water to a boil.
- In a large bowl, whisk together graham and rye flours, cornmeal, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir in sour cream, molasses, and water. Fold in raisins, if using. Pour batter into prepared can.
- Place can in a deep pot with a tight-fitting lid (foil may also be used) and add enough boiling water to come halfway up the sides of the can. Cover the pot and bake until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean, about 1 1/4 hours for 28-ounce bread or about 55 minutes for 15 1/2-ounce breads.
- Remove can from water and let cool slightly on a wire rack. Turn out bread, shaking can if necessary to loosen. Return to rack to cool completely.
BOSTON BROWN BREAD
Bread in a can? That's right! Along with Boston baked beans, one of New England's greatest manufacturing feats has been this hearty brown bread, steamed right in the can. Serve this easy homemade version with cream cheese or salted butter. Toast if desired.
Provided by Smart Cookie
Categories Bread Quick Bread Recipes
Time 1h10m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Clean two 15-ounce cans thoroughly and remove any labels. Spray the insides with cooking spray. Put a kettle on to boil.
- Whisk all-purpose flour, rye, cornmeal, baking soda, baking powder, and salt together in a large bowl. Mix buttermilk, molasses, egg, and brown sugar together in a separate bowl. Combine molasses mixture with the flour mixture and stir in currants.
- Divide the batter between the prepared cans. Cover the tops with foil lightly sprayed with cooking spray; secure with twine.
- Place the cans on a rack inside of a large stockpot and pour the boiling water into the pot until it comes halfway up the cans. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Place a lid on top of the pot and reduce heat to low. Continue simmering until a skewer inserted into the bread comes out with minimal moist crumbs, 35 to 40 minutes.
- Remove the cans from the pot using tongs, remove the foil tops, and cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Turn cans upside down and gently shake to loosen the bread. Return to wire rack to cool completely.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 207.2 calories, Carbohydrate 45 g, Cholesterol 32.6 mg, Fat 1.6 g, Fiber 2.1 g, Protein 4.6 g, SaturatedFat 0.5 g, Sodium 422.3 mg, Sugar 24.8 g
BOSTON BROWN BREAD
Baking this bread in coffee cans lends to its interesting shape. At Christmas, I often make gift boxes for friends and family featuring this bread and various spreads.
Provided by Taste of Home
Time 1h30m
Yield 2 loaves.
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- In a large bowl, beat eggs and brown sugar. Add molasses and buttermilk; mix well. Combine the flours, salt and baking soda; stir into egg mixture just until moistened. Fold in raisins and walnuts. , Transfer to two greased 9x5-in. loaf pans. Bake at 325° for 80-85 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks. Serve with butter or cream cheese if desired.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 212 calories, Fat 3g fat (0 saturated fat), Cholesterol 15mg cholesterol, Sodium 273mg sodium, Carbohydrate 43g carbohydrate (24g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 5g protein.
BOSTON BROWN BREAD(BREAD MACHINE)
Make and share this Boston Brown Bread(Bread Machine) recipe from Food.com.
Provided by ratherbeswimmin
Categories Yeast Breads
Time 3h45m
Yield 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Measure ingredients into the baking pan in the order recommended by the manufacturer.
- Insert pan into the oven chamber.
- Select Whole Wheat cycle.
- When the baking cycle ends, immediately remove the bread from the pan and place it on a rack.
- Let cool to room temperature before slicing.
BOSTON BROWN BREAD
Provided by Mary Frances Heck
Categories Bread Milk/Cream Breakfast Brunch Side Bake Cornmeal Fall Molasses Whole Wheat Bon Appétit Vegetarian Pescatarian Peanut Free Tree Nut Free Soy Free Kosher
Yield Makes 10 servings
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Cut two 6" squares of foil. Coat insides of cans and one side of foil squares with 1 tablespoon butter. Stir milk and next 3 ingredients in a small saucepan over low heat until sugar dissolves and mixture is just warmed (do not boil). Whisk whole wheat flour and next 5 ingredients in a large bowl. Add milk mixture; whisk until smooth. Fold in raisins, if using. Divide batter between cans. Smooth tops.
- Cover cans with foil, butter side down. Secure foil with kitchen twine. Place cans foil side up in a deep roasting pan or a heavy shallow pot. Transfer pan to oven. Pour very hot water into pan to come about 3" up sides of cans.
- Bake until a skewer inserted through foil into the center of each loaf comes out clean, about 1 1/2 hours. Transfer to a wire rack. Let cool for 10 minutes. Run a thin knife around edges of cans. Invert to release loaves onto rack. Let cool completely. DO AHEAD: Bread can be made 3 days ahead. Wrap tightly in plastic; store at room temperature.
- Slice bread. Serve with soft butter.
BOSTON BROWN BREAD
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Time 3h20m
Yield 1 medium loaf, about 6 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Place a rack in the bottom third of the oven and preheat to 300 degrees F.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the rye flour, cornmeal, whole wheat flour, white bread flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the molasses, buttermilk, and egg.
- Pour the molasses mixture into the flour mixture and mix until a thick batter is just formed. Transfer the batter to the prepared coffee can. Cover tightly with the foil, buttered-side down.
- Place the coffee can in a pot that is twice the height of the can. Pour enough hot water in the pot to reach halfway up the sides of the can. Bring the water to a boil on top of the stove, before transferring to the oven. Bake the bread, in the water bath, until spongy and a wooden skewer inserted in the center comes out clean, about 3 hours.
- Remove can from the water bath and set aside to cool completely. Remove the loaf from the can. Slice into rounds and serve.
BOSTON BROWN BREAD IN A PRESSURE COOKER
Make and share this Boston Brown Bread in a Pressure Cooker recipe from Food.com.
Provided by Timothy H.
Categories Breads
Time 1h20m
Yield 1 loaf
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Combine sugar,butter,egg and molasses.Sift in flours and soda.Add dry ingredients,alternate with milk.Add nuts and raisins.Mix well.Turn in a buttered bowl or mold that may set loosely in cooker.
- Cover bowl with wax paper.Place bowl on rack with water on cooker.Place cover on cooker.Allow steam to flow from the vent pipe 20 minutes.Place indicator weight on vent pipe for 40 minutes with stem at 10 pounds, That is all the way up.Allow stem to return to DOWN position.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 2916.5, Fat 79.2, SaturatedFat 27, Cholesterol 283, Sodium 3394.9, Carbohydrate 515, Fiber 43.1, Sugar 207.6, Protein 74.8
GRANDMA JOY'S BOSTON BROWN BREAD
Provided by Molly O'Neill
Categories side dish
Time 3h15m
Yield 3 loaves (about 9 servings)
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Soak raisins in rum 2 hours.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine flours, bran and baking soda. In a separate bowl, combine egg, sugar, corn syrup, molasses, buttermilk and raisins (with liquor). Mix well. Stir in the flour mixture.
- Pour the mixture into three clean, well-greased tin cans (2 1/2-cup capacity each), filling each about two-thirds full. Cover each tightly with foil. Place in a baking dish and add water to reach halfway up the side of the cans. Cover baking dish with foil, place in oven and bake 3 hours. Cool 15 minutes before removing from cans.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 411, UnsaturatedFat 2 grams, Carbohydrate 93 grams, Fat 4 grams, Fiber 8 grams, Protein 9 grams, SaturatedFat 1 gram, Sodium 336 milligrams, Sugar 55 grams, TransFat 0 grams
BOSTON BROWN BREAD
This bread dates back to Colonial days. Made from rye and wheat flours, cornmeal, molasses and raisins. Boston Brown Bread is always steamed (rather than baked) in a large can or mold. It is traditionally served along with a steaming plate of Boston Baked Beans.
Provided by - Carla -
Categories Breads
Yield 10 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 375 F.
- Grease a 16 oz coffee can (or 1 qt pudding mold or baking dish) with butter.
- In a large bowl, combine both wheat and rye flours, cornmeal, baking soda and salt.
- Stir in molasses and milk; add raisins and mix to blend.
- Fill coffee can (or mold/baking dish) with batter; it should come up to about 2/3 of the way to the top.
- Cover top of the can with foil and tie with butcher's twine to make it airtight.
- Place can (or mold/baking dish) into a larger, deep baking dish.
- Using a pitcher, carefully pour hot water into the baking dish so that the water comes about halfway up the outside of the coffee can (or mold/baking dish); place in the oven.
- Allow bread to steam for 2 hours, check water level after 1 hour and add more water if needed.
- To check if the bread is done, carefully remove twine and foil and stick a wooden skewer into the middle and pull it out.
- If the Skewer is clean, the bread is done; if the bread needs additional cooking time, cover with new foil and twine and allow to steam until done.
- Enjoy!
HOMEMADE BOSTON BROWN BREAD
Wonderful bread! Although tradition dictates that this bread should be served with Boston Bake Beans it is also great with a bowl of soup, a salad or with a main dish. You will need 3 10-ounce coffee cans to bake this bread, although it can also be baked in 8X4 loaf pans (but then you will not have the beautiful rounds that make this bread special). The loaves can be frozen for up to 1 month. This recipe is from Massachusetts' infamous baker René Becker of the Hi-Rise Bread Company. I have only made it with fragrant organic flours, but I am sure non organic flours would work as well.
Provided by NcMysteryShopper
Categories Breads
Time 1h50m
Yield 3 Loaves
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Remove one of your oven racks and preheat oven to 300°.
- Generously butter three 10-ounce coffee cans. In an extra large mixing bowl combine all the flours. Stir in cornmeal, baking soda, baking powder, salt and dried fruit.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the milk with the molasses. Slowly add to the dry ingredients, stirring until the batter is smooth and combined.
- Pour the batter into the greased coffee cans. Stand the cans in the center of the oven and bake for about 1 1/2 hours, or until the loaves are springy to the touch. Place cans on wire rack and let cool for about 10 minutes, then unmold. Slice bread into rounds and serve.
- When the loaves have reached room temperature, they can be wrapped in wax paper and placed in a thick plastic bag and stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 1406.8, Fat 16.7, SaturatedFat 8.1, Cholesterol 45.5, Sodium 2422.3, Carbohydrate 289.3, Fiber 26.6, Sugar 80.9, Protein 37.3
BOSTON BROWN BREAD
This is a recipe from Milwaukee,Wisconsin. It is is a favorite of mine. I bake it in cans, so the loaves are round. Very nice when you make up GOODIE baskets, especially liked by elderly people.
Provided by out of here
Categories Quick Breads
Time 1h
Yield 10 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Put dates, raisins, oleo, and baking soda in a large bowl.
- Pour the boiling water over this mixture. Mix then let cool.
- Beat 2 eggs, sugar, and vanilla until creamy.
- Add the cooled mixture alternately with the flour.Stir in nuts.
- Bake in 3-1# cans that have been well greased.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 45-55 minutes.
- Cool slightly, then run a butter knife around the inside edge of can to loosen bread. Pull out gently and wrap while still partly warm in plastic wrap. This keeps the round loaves moist.
- These freeze well. When baking these, I usually double the recipe and freeze half for gifts.
- This is delicious! It does not taste at all like the can stuff in the store.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 343.4, Fat 10.5, SaturatedFat 1.5, Cholesterol 42.3, Sodium 245.3, Carbohydrate 60, Fiber 3, Sugar 38.1, Protein 5.7
A BIT NUTTY BOSTON BROWN BREAD
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
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.
CROCKPOT BOSTON BROWN BREAD
We love Boston Brown Bread in our family. I always bought the kind in the large can, but since finding this recipe on line I can now make it fresh! It is wonderful, moist bread. We like it with light whipped cream cheese or just butter. If you have never had this kind of bread before, I think you will like the light sweetness of...
Provided by Patty Ward
Categories Other Side Dishes
Time 3h20m
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- 1. In a large bowl combine the whole wheat and rye flour, cornmeal, baking soda and salt. Make a well in the center and pour in the molasses, buttermilk and raisins. Stir until all the ingredients are combined.
- 2. Grease a 2 quart mold, flour it and fill. The batter should not fill more than 2/3 of the mold. Cover with foil and tie with kitchen string. Set the mold on a trivit in the bottom of a 5-6 quart slow cooker. Pour the hot water into the pot. Cover pot and cook on High for 3-4 hours.
- 3. The bread is done when the top is dry and recedes from the edge of mold. Cool the bread on a rack for 10 minutes, then turn out and serve. Enjoy!
BOSTON BROWN BREAD WITH DRIED FRUIT
Dried fruits add a nutty flavor to this homemade brown bread.
Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens
Categories Side Dish
Time 1h20m
Yield 16
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Heat oven to 350°F. Grease bottom only of 8x4-inch loaf pan with shortening or spray bottom with cooking spray; coat with flour.
- In medium bowl, mix flours, cornmeal and baking soda. In another medium bowl, beat molasses, egg and 2 tablespoons softened butter with electric mixer on medium speed about 3 minutes or until well mixed. Beat in flour mixture alternately with buttermilk until mixed. Stir in dried fruits. Pour into pan.
- Bake 50 to 60 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center of crack comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes. Run knife around edges of loaf to loosen; remove from pan to wire rack. Brush with 2 teaspoons melted butter. Serve warm.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 150, Carbohydrate 26 g, Cholesterol 20 mg, Fat 1/2, Fiber 2 g, Protein 3 g, SaturatedFat 1 1/2 g, ServingSize 1 Slice, Sodium 125 mg, Sugar 10 g, TransFat 0 g
BOSTON BROWN BREAD- SIMPLE RECIPE
Molasses and brown sugar sweeten this bread and the buttermilk and raisins add depth and flavor you will fall in love with. Tastes great with butter or cream cheese. Recipe 1967. Recipe saved in a box. This recipe is a little different is that it doesn't have whole wheat, rye,or cornmeal.
Provided by Pat Duran
Categories Sweet Breads
Time 1h10m
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- 1. Preheat oven to 325^. Generously spray or grease a 1-pound coffee can. Set aside.
- 2. Combine the flour, baking soda, salt, and sugar in a mixing bowl. Stir in molasses and milk. If using raisins, dust with flour to coat first, then fold into the batter.
- 3. Fill the coffee can with batter. It should come up about 2/3 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 1/2 way up the sides of the can. Place in oven and allow to steam for 2 hours, checking the war level after 1 hour. Add more boiling water if needed. Check by sticking a skewer into the bread; it will come clean when done. Remove string and foil and allow to cool for 1 hour before removing from can.
BOSTON BROWN BREAD II
This bread is so tasty because the raisins soak overnight and then release their moisture into the bread as it bakes. It's a great bread for raisin lovers.
Provided by Dan Schultz
Categories Bread Quick Bread Recipes
Time 14h30m
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- In a large bowl, mix together sugar, raisins, baking soda, salt, margarine and boiling water. Cover and let stand overnight.
- The following day, preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
- Beat egg and flour into raisin mixture. Pour batter into prepared pan.
- Bake in preheated oven for 1 hour, or until a toothpick inserted into center of the loaf comes out clean.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 208.4 calories, Carbohydrate 47 g, Cholesterol 15.5 mg, Fat 1.6 g, Fiber 1.2 g, Protein 3.2 g, SaturatedFat 0.3 g, Sodium 422.1 mg, Sugar 27.5 g
BOSTON BROWN BREAD
This bread is traditionally served with baked beans. The recipe calls for steaming the bread in cans. It can be baked in small loaf pans if you prefer. Baking is done at 350°F for about 35-40 minutes. But do try steaming, if you can. The consistency is more authentic. Recipe is from an old cookbook of my mother's.
Provided by Susan Feliciano
Categories Other Breads
Time 3h10m
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- 1. Sift all-purpose flour with baking powder, soda, and salt. Stir in cornmeal and whole wheat flour. Add remaining ingredients and beat well.
- 2. Grease and flour the cans well. Divide batter evenly among the 4 cans. Cover cans tightly with foil. Place on a rack in a deep kettle for steaming. Pour in boiling water to a depth of 1 inch. Cover kettle and steam for 3 hours. Check and add more boiling water periodically if needed.
- 3. After 3 hours, remove cans from steamer and remove foil. Place cans in a preheated 450°F oven for 5 minutes. Remove bread from cans and cool on rack. Wrap tightly and store overnight. Refrigerate any leftovers.
Tips:
- Follow the recipe precisely: Baking is a science, and Boston brown bread is no exception. Make sure to measure your ingredients accurately and follow the instructions carefully to achieve the best results.
- Use fresh ingredients: The fresher your ingredients, the better your bread will taste. This is especially true for the molasses, which should be unsulphured and dark in color.
- Grease and flour your pan: This will help the bread to rise evenly and prevent it from sticking to the pan.
- Don't overmix the batter: Overmixing can result in a tough, dense loaf of bread. Mix the batter just until the ingredients are combined.
- Bake the bread in a hot oven: This will help the bread to rise quickly and develop a crispy crust.
- Let the bread cool before slicing: This will help the bread to retain its moisture 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 is a great way to use up leftover molasses and is a perfect accompaniment to soups, stews, and baked beans. With its rich flavor and moist texture, Boston brown bread is sure to be a hit with your family and friends.
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