Best 9 Authentic Boston Brown Bread Recipes

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Embark on a culinary journey through the rich history and enticing flavors of Boston brown bread, a cherished New England delicacy. This classic bread holds a special place in the hearts of Bostonians and food enthusiasts alike. Its unique combination of molasses, buttermilk, and whole wheat flour lends it a distinctive sweet and slightly tangy flavor, while its dense and moist texture creates a delightful eating experience. Whether served warm with a generous slather of butter or toasted and topped with your favorite spread, Boston brown bread is a versatile treat that can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. In this article, we will delve into the origins of this beloved bread, uncover the secrets behind its irresistible taste, and present a collection of carefully curated recipes that will guide you in creating an authentic Boston brown bread that will tantalize your taste buds and transport you to the cobblestone streets of historic Boston.

Here are our top 9 tried and tested recipes!

AUTHENTIC BOSTON BROWN BREAD



Authentic Boston Brown Bread image

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

1/2 cup cornmeal
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup rye flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk
1/3 cup molasses
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon canola oil
3 tablespoons chopped walnuts, toasted
3 tablespoons raisins
Cream cheese, softened, optional

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



Boston Brown Bread image

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

2 eggs
2 cups packed brown sugar
1 cup molasses
4 cups buttermilk
4 cups whole wheat flour
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 cup raisins
1 cup chopped walnuts
Butter or cream cheese, optional

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



Boston Brown Bread image

Provided by Alton Brown

Categories     side-dish

Time 2h30m

Yield 2 (4-inch) loaves

Number Of Ingredients 13

Nonstick spray
Boiling water
2 1/2 ounces whole wheat flour
2 1/2 ounces rye flour
2 1/2 ounces cornmeal
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground allspice
6 ounces molasses, by weight
8 1/2 ounces buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon orange zest

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



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.

BOSTON BROWN BREAD



Boston Brown Bread image

Bread that slides out of a can? It might strike many Americans as a dubious culinary eccentricity, but throughout New England it is a staple, often purchased at the supermarket and served at home with a generous pour of baked beans. "I had this growing up," said Meghan Thompson, the pastry chef at Townsman, in Boston, where the cylindrical brown tower comes to the table as something of a regional wink. Her version, commissioned by the chef Matt Jennings, dials down the cloying sweetness and amps up the flavor with a totally different manifestation of beans: doenjang, the funky Korean paste made from fermented soybeans.

Provided by Jeff Gordinier

Categories     breads, side dish

Time 2h20m

Yield 2 coffee-can-size loaves, or 1 standard loaf

Number Of Ingredients 13

Nonstick cooking spray
1/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons/70 grams white rye flour
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons/140 grams stone-ground whole wheat flour
1/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons/70 grams dark rye flour
1 cup/142 grams fine-ground cornmeal
1 cup/198 grams lightly packed dark brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon/3 grams baking powder
2 teaspoons/11 grams baking soda
1/2 teaspoon/3 grams kosher salt
1 tablespoon/16 grams doenjang (Korean soybean paste)
2 cups/480 milliliters buttermilk
1/2 cup/120 milliliters egg whites (from 4 to 5 large eggs)
3/4 cup (scant)/169 milliliters blackstrap molasses

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 350 degrees and generously coat the insides of 2 10-ounce coffee cans or a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray. Place the white rye flour in a large skillet over medium heat and toast, whisking constantly, for 7 minutes. The flour will darken slightly and smell nutty.
  • Whisk the flours, cornmeal, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk together the doenjang and buttermilk until combined; set aside. With an electric mixer, whip the egg whites with 1 tablespoon of the molasses until stiff, silky peaks form, about 5 minutes. Whisk the remaining molasses into the buttermilk mixture. Gradually stir the buttermilk mixture into the dry ingredients until combined. Fold in the whipped egg whites in 2 additions.
  • Pour batter into the prepared cans or loaf pan. Coat pieces of foil with cooking spray, then cover the tops of the cans or pan securely. Set the cans or pan in a baking dish and add enough hot water to come about 1/4 inch up the side. Transfer to oven and bake until the top springs back when lightly touched, about 1 hour 40 minutes for the cans, or 2 hours for the loaf pan. Let cool 20 minutes on a wire rack, then invert and remove the bread to a cutting board. Let cool completely before slicing.

BOSTON BROWN BREAD



Boston Brown Bread image

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

Unsalted butter, room temperature, for cans
1/2 cup graham flour
1/2 cup rye flour
1/2 cup yellow cornmeal
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup molasses
1/4 cup water
1/2 cup raisins (optional)

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 III



Boston Brown Bread III image

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

2 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
⅔ cup firmly packed brown sugar
¼ cup molasses
2 cups buttermilk

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



Boston Brown Bread image

Categories     Bread     Bake     Molasses     Bon Appétit

Yield Makes one 9x5-inch loaf or two smaller round loaves

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 cup yellow cornmeal
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup whole grain rye flour*
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups buttermilk
1 cup robust-flavored (dark) molasses
1 cup raisins or dried currants
*Available at natural foods stores and some supermarkets.

Steps:

  • Generously butter one 9 x 5 x 2 1/2-inch metal loaf pan or 2 clean 28-ounce food cans. Mix first 5 ingredients in large bowl. Whisk buttermilk, molasses and raisins in medium bowl to blend. Add buttermilk mixture to dry ingredients; stir until well blended.
  • Transfer all of batter to prepared loaf pan or divide batter between prepared cans (pan or each can will be about 3/4 full). Butter 1 piece of foil large enough to cover top of pan or each can and to overlap sides by 2 inches. Tightly cover top of pan or each can with foil, buttered side down. Tie kitchen string around foil. Place pan or cans in large wide pot. Pour enough water into pot to come halfway up sides of pan or cans. Bring water to boil. Reduce heat to low; cover pot tightly and simmer until tester inserted into center of bread comes out clean, adding more water to pot as necessary to keep water halfway up sides of pan or cans, about 3 hours.
  • Remove pan or cans from pot. Cool bread in pan or cans 15 minutes. Gently shake to remove bread from pan or cans. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cool completely. Return bread to pan or cans. Wrap tightly with foil. Store at room temperature. Before serving, if desired, steam in pan or cans, covered with foil and secured with kitchen string, on rack set over simmering water until heated through, about 15 minutes.) Cut bread into 1/3-inch-thick slices. Serve warm or at room temperature.

BOSTON BROWN BREAD



Boston Brown Bread image

Boston baked beans and brown bread is the traditional New England Saturday-night supper. If you like raisins in your Boston brown bread, add one cup of raisins or sultanas dredged with a little flour. This delicious recipe comes from the New England chapter of the United States Regional Cookbook, Culinary Arts Institute of Chicago, 1947. Steaming time approximate.

Provided by Molly53

Categories     < 4 Hours

Time 1h25m

Yield 3 loaves

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 cup cornmeal
1 cup graham flour or 1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup rye flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup molasses
1 1/2 cups buttermilk or 1 1/2 cups sour milk

Steps:

  • Mix and sift dry ingredients together very well.
  • Stir in remaining ingredients.
  • Place rounds of greased parchment or waxed paper in the bottom of clean one-pound cans; grease the sides of the cans and fill 2/3 full with batter.
  • Place the cans on a rack in a large kettle; add warm water to half the height of the can.
  • Cover the kettle and let the water come to the boil.
  • Boil gently from 1 to 2 hours or until well done, adding more boiling water as necessary to keep the water at the desired level.
  • Uncover the kettle and place cans in a 400F oven for a few minutes to dry the top.
  • Remove from the cans immediately and serve hot with baked beans.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 672.5, Fat 4, SaturatedFat 1.1, Cholesterol 4.9, Sodium 1370.1, Carbohydrate 149.7, Fiber 10.6, Sugar 53.4, Protein 15.5

Tips:

  • Use fresh ingredients: This will ensure that your Boston brown bread has the best flavor and texture.
  • Measure your ingredients accurately: This is important for any baking recipe, but especially for Boston brown bread, as the measurements need to be precise in order for the bread to rise properly.
  • Don't overmix the batter: Overmixing can make the bread tough, so mix just until the ingredients are combined.
  • Let the batter rest before baking: This will allow the gluten to relax and the bread to rise more evenly.
  • Bake the bread in a hot oven: This will help to create a crispy crust and a tender crumb.
  • Don't overbake the bread: Overbaking can make the bread dry and crumbly. Check the bread for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean, the bread is done.

Conclusion:

Boston brown bread is a delicious and easy-to-make bread that is perfect for any occasion. With its moist and flavorful crumb and crispy crust, it is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it. So next time you're looking for a new bread to try, give Boston brown bread a try. You won't be disappointed!

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