Irish brown bread recipe for a traditional homemade loaf

Ingredients for Irish brown bread

• 240 g whole-wheat flour

• 240 g plain flour, plus additional for kneading

• 60 g toasted wheat germ

• 10 g salt

• 10 g sugar

• 5 g baking soda

• 2.5 g cream of tartar

• 115 g cold unsalted butter, cut into 1.25 cm cubes

• 480 ml well-shaken soured milk

How to make Irish brown bread

1. Position the oven rack in the middle and preheat the oven to 200°C (fan 180°C).  

2. Butter a 23 cm (9-inch) round cake pan.  

3. In a large bowl, whisk together the flours, wheat germ, salt, sugar, baking soda, and cream of tartar until well combined.  

4. Blend in the butter using a pastry blender or your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs.  

5. Make a well in the centre and add the buttermilk, stirring until a dough forms.  

6. Gently knead the dough on a floured surface, adding just enough additional flour to prevent sticking, until smooth — about 3 minutes.  

7. Transfer the dough to the prepared cake pan and flatten to fill the pan.  

8. With a sharp knife, cut an X approximately 1.25 cm (½ inch) deep and 12.5 cm (5 inches) long across the top of the dough.  

9. Bake for 30–40 minutes, or until the loaf is lightly browned and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.  

10. Cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes, then turn out onto the rack and cool, right side up, for about 1 hour.

Disclaimer
While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.