Rustic Irish Whole Grain Bread
This Rustic Irish Whole Grain Bread is a time-honored recipe that captures the essence of traditional Irish baking. With its hearty texture and wholesome ingredients, this bread is not only delicious but also nutritious. Made with a perfect blend of coarse whole wheat and white flour, it boasts a crispy crust and a soft, tender crumb. Ideal for slathering with butter, serving alongside hearty stews, or enjoying with your favorite jam, this bread is sure to become a staple in your home. Share it with friends and family to bring a taste of Ireland to your table!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
5
Ingredients
Ingredients
Coarse ground whole wheat flour
4 cups (none)
White flour
4 cups (none)
Salt
3 teaspoons (none)
Baking soda
1 tablespoon (none)
Low-fat cultured buttermilk
3-4 cups (none)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C) to create a hot environment for baking.
2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the coarse ground whole wheat flour, white flour, salt, and baking soda. Stir to thoroughly blend the dry ingredients.
3
Create a well in the center of the dry mixture and pour in 3 cups of low-fat cultured buttermilk.
4
Using your hand, gradually incorporate the flour into the buttermilk, working the mixture until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms. If the dough is too dry, add additional buttermilk by the tablespoon until the desired consistency is reached.
5
Transfer the dough to a floured surface and gently knead it, shaping it into a round loaf about 3 inches thick.
6
Place the shaped loaf onto a parchment-lined baking sheet or a lightly floured baking stone.
7
Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, then reduce the temperature to 400°F (200°C) and continue baking for an additional 20 minutes.
8
To check if the bread is fully cooked, tap the bottom of the loaf; it should sound hollow. If it doesn’t, bake for an additional 5-10 minutes.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Rustic Irish Whole Grain Bread?
It is a time-honored traditional Irish bread with a hearty texture, crispy crust, and soft crumb.
How much coarse ground whole wheat flour is needed?
The recipe requires 4 cups of coarse ground whole wheat flour.
How much white flour is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 4 cups of white flour.
What is the initial preheat temperature for the oven?
Preheat your oven to 475 degrees Fahrenheit or 245 degrees Celsius.
What leavening agent is used in this Irish bread?
This recipe uses 1 tablespoon of baking soda as the leavening agent.
How much salt is included in the recipe?
The recipe uses 3 teaspoons of salt.
What type of buttermilk should I use?
The recipe recommends using 3 to 4 cups of low-fat cultured buttermilk.
How do I mix the dry ingredients?
Combine the coarse ground whole wheat flour, white flour, salt, and baking soda in a large mixing bowl and stir thoroughly.
How should I incorporate the buttermilk?
Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients and gradually work in the buttermilk with your hand.
What should the dough consistency be like?
The mixture should form a soft and slightly sticky dough.
What should I do if the dough is too dry?
Add additional buttermilk by the tablespoon until you reach the desired consistency.
Do I need to knead the dough?
Yes, transfer the dough to a floured surface and gently knead it into a round loaf.
How thick should the shaped loaf be?
The loaf should be shaped to be about 3 inches thick.
What surfaces can I use for baking the bread?
You can use a parchment-lined baking sheet or a lightly floured baking stone.
How long is the first stage of baking?
The bread should bake for 20 minutes at the initial temperature of 475 degrees Fahrenheit.
What is the second baking temperature?
After the first 20 minutes, reduce the oven temperature to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius).
How long is the second stage of baking?
Bake for an additional 20 minutes after reducing the temperature.
How do I check if the bread is fully cooked?
Tap the bottom of the loaf; it should sound hollow when fully cooked.
What if the bread does not sound hollow after 40 minutes?
Continue baking for an additional 5 to 10 minutes until the hollow sound is achieved.
Is this bread considered nutritious?
Yes, it is made with wholesome whole grain ingredients and is described as a nutritious staple.
What can I serve with Rustic Irish Whole Grain Bread?
It is ideal for serving with butter, hearty stews, or your favorite jam.
Does this recipe use yeast?
No, this is a soda bread style recipe that uses baking soda instead of yeast.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 5 main ingredients: whole wheat flour, white flour, salt, baking soda, and buttermilk.
What is the texture of the bread?
The bread has a hearty texture with a crispy crust and a soft, tender crumb.
Is this recipe suitable for beginners?
Yes, it is tagged as an easy bread recipe and uses a simple mixing and kneading process.
What kind of flour provides the 'whole grain' element?
The 'whole grain' element comes from the 4 cups of coarse ground whole wheat flour.
Why is the oven temperature reduced during baking?
The high initial heat helps create the crust, while the lower temperature ensures the center cooks through without burning.
Can I use a baking stone?
Yes, a lightly floured baking stone is an excellent option for baking this loaf.
Is this a traditional Irish recipe?
Yes, it is described as a time-honored recipe that captures the essence of traditional Irish baking.
How do I prepare the dry ingredients before adding liquid?
Simply stir the flours, salt, and baking soda together in a large bowl to thoroughly blend them.