Rustic Whole Wheat Brown Sugar Soda Bread with Caraway
This Rustic Whole Wheat Brown Sugar Soda Bread brings a wholesome twist to the classic Irish soda bread. By incorporating whole wheat flour, the bread gains a wonderfully hearty texture that beautifully complements evening meals, making it a delightful choice for your family gatherings. The addition of caraway seeds not only enhances the flavor profile but also adds an aromatic quality that will fill your kitchen with warmth. Perfect for slathering with butter or enjoying alongside soups and stews, this easy-to-make quick bread is sure to become a favorite in your home. Enjoy the rich taste of tradition with a healthy spin, courtesy of iVallage.com.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
All-purpose flour
3 cups (sifted)
Whole wheat flour
1 cup (sifted)
Light brown sugar
1/4 cup (packed (or 1/8 cup Splenda brown sugar blend))
Baking powder
1 tablespoon (none)
Kosher salt
1 1/2 teaspoons (none)
Baking soda
1 teaspoon (none)
Caraway seeds
2 teaspoons (optional)
Unsalted butter
6 tablespoons (chilled and cut into pieces)
Buttermilk
1 1/2 cups (none)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a baking sheet and set it aside.
2
In a food processor, combine the all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, packed light brown sugar (or Splenda blend), baking powder, kosher salt, baking soda, and optional caraway seeds. Pulse the mixture twice to blend the dry ingredients evenly.
3
Add the chilled unsalted butter pieces into the processor and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse meal with some pea-sized butter lumps remaining.
4
Pour in the buttermilk and pulse briefly just until the mixture is combined; do not overmix.
5
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead it gently just 3 or 4 times until it holds together, then shape it into a ball.
6
Place the shaped dough onto the prepared baking sheet.
7
Using a serrated knife, cut a deep X into the top of the bread. If you like, sprinkle some additional caraway seeds on top for garnish.
8
Bake in the preheated oven for about 55 minutes to 1 hour, or until the bread is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
9
Once baked, remove the bread from the oven and let it cool slightly on a wire rack before slicing. Serve warm with butter and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Rustic Whole Wheat Brown Sugar Soda Bread?
It is a wholesome, easy-to-make quick bread that uses whole wheat flour and caraway seeds for a hearty texture and aromatic flavor.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C).
How many types of flour are used in this recipe?
The recipe uses two types of flour: 3 cups of all-purpose flour and 1 cup of whole wheat flour.
Can I use a sugar substitute for the brown sugar?
Yes, you can substitute 1/4 cup of packed light brown sugar with 1/8 cup of Splenda brown sugar blend.
Are caraway seeds required for this soda bread?
Caraway seeds are optional, but they are recommended for adding a traditional aromatic quality to the bread.
Should the butter be at room temperature?
No, the 6 tablespoons of unsalted butter should be chilled and cut into pieces.
How much buttermilk is needed for the dough?
The recipe calls for 1 1/2 cups of buttermilk.
Is a food processor necessary for this recipe?
A food processor is used to blend the dry ingredients and incorporate the butter until it resembles coarse meal.
How many times should the dry ingredients be pulsed?
The dry ingredients should be pulsed twice to blend them evenly before adding the butter.
What should the texture of the butter and flour mixture look like?
It should resemble coarse meal with some pea-sized butter lumps remaining.
How should the buttermilk be mixed in?
The buttermilk should be pulsed briefly just until the mixture is combined; you must be careful not to overmix.
How many times should the dough be kneaded?
Gently knead the dough only 3 or 4 times on a lightly floured surface until it holds together.
What shape should the dough be formed into?
The dough should be shaped into a ball before being placed on the baking sheet.
Why is an X cut into the top of the bread?
A deep X is cut into the top using a serrated knife to help the bread expand and bake properly.
Can I add garnish to the top of the bread?
Yes, you can sprinkle additional caraway seeds on top of the bread for garnish before baking.
How long does the baking process take?
The bread should bake for approximately 55 minutes to 1 hour.
How do I know if the soda bread is fully cooked?
The bread is done when it is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Should the bread be sliced immediately after baking?
It is best to let the bread cool slightly on a wire rack before slicing.
What are the recommended serving suggestions?
Serve the bread warm with butter, or enjoy it alongside soups and stews.
How many total ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 9 ingredients total, including flours, sugar, leavening agents, salt, seeds, butter, and buttermilk.
What amount of baking powder is required?
The recipe requires 1 tablespoon of baking powder.
What amount of baking soda is needed?
The recipe uses 1 teaspoon of baking soda.
Is kosher salt required for this bread?
The recipe specifies 1 1/2 teaspoons of kosher salt.
How should the flours be prepared before mixing?
Both the all-purpose flour and the whole wheat flour should be sifted.
What is the measurement for the caraway seeds?
The recipe calls for 2 teaspoons of caraway seeds.
Is this a yeast-based bread?
No, this is a quick bread that uses baking powder and baking soda as leavening agents instead of yeast.
How should the baking sheet be prepared?
The baking sheet should be greased before placing the dough on it.
Can I use a regular knife to score the bread?
A serrated knife is specifically recommended for cutting the deep X into the dough.
What makes this bread 'rustic'?
The use of whole wheat flour, caraway seeds, and the simple ball shape with a hand-cut X gives it a hearty, traditional rustic appearance.
Does this recipe contain any fiber?
While specific nutritional values aren't provided, the inclusion of 1 cup of whole wheat flour adds a healthy whole-grain component to the bread.