This hearty and wholesome Boston Brown Bread is a traditional New England favorite. Made with whole wheat flour, cornmeal, and molasses, this bread is rich in flavor and perfect for breakfast or served alongside a savory dish. Follow this easy recipe to bring the taste of New England to your table. The bread is steamed rather than baked, resulting in a moist and dense texture that pairs well with butter or cream cheese. Enjoy the delightful combination of flavors with every bite!
Ingredients
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1 cup rye flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1/2 cup raisins
Directions
- In a large bowl, whisk together the whole wheat flour, cornmeal, rye flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Add buttermilk and molasses to the dry ingredients, and stir until well combined.
- Fold in the raisins.
- Grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan and pour the batter into it.
- Cover the pan with aluminum foil.
- Place a steamer rack or metal trivet in the bottom of a large pot.
- Fill the pot with enough water to reach just below the rack or trivet.
- Place the loaf pan on the rack or trivet.
- Cover the pot with a lid and bring the water to a boil over high heat.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and steam the bread for 2 hours.
- Check the water level occasionally and add more if needed.
- Once the bread is cooked, remove it from the pot and let it cool for a few minutes.
- Remove the bread from the pan and allow it to cool completely on a wire rack before slicing.
- Serve the Boston Brown Bread with butter or cream cheese, and enjoy!
Interesting Facts
Boston Brown Bread is traditionally steamed in a can, but this recipe uses a loaf pan for convenience.
This bread is often enjoyed as part of a New England-style baked bean supper.
The combination of molasses and raisins gives this bread its unique flavor.