Step back in time with a slice of classic New England comfort! Boston Brown Bread is a wonderfully unique, hearty loaf that traditionally gets its moist, dense crumb from steaming. But I’m here to share my favorite secret: baking it is just as delicious and so much simpler! This recipe creates a soft-crusted bread with a rich, complex flavor from a trio of flours—rye, cornmeal, and whole wheat—all brought together by the deep, sweet notes of molasses. It’s the quintessential partner for a bowl of baked beans, but it’s also incredible toasted and slathered with cream cheese or butter for a cozy breakfast. Let’s get baking!
Ingredients
• Butter or neutral oil, for greasing the pans
• 2 cups / 480 ml buttermilk or plain yogurt
• 1 cup / 120 g rye flour
• 1 cup / 120 g cornmeal
• 1 cup / 120 g whole wheat or all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
• 3/4 cup / 180 ml molasses or maple syrup
• 1 cup / 150 g raisins (optional)
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Liberally grease two 8×4-inch loaf pans or one 9×5-inch loaf pan.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the dry : rye flour, cornmeal, whole wheat flour, salt, and baking soda.
3. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the wet : buttermilk (or yogurt) and molasses (or maple syrup).
4. Pour the wet into the dry . Stir with a spatula just until the batter is combined and no dry streaks remain. Be careful not to overmix. If using, gently fold in the raisins.
5. Pour the loose batter into your prepared loaf pan(s).
6. Bake for 60-75 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean.
7. Let the bread cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes before carefully removing it to cool completely. Serve warm for the best experience!
Nutritional Information
• Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12th of a large loaf)
• Calories: Approximately 185 kcal
• Fiber: A good source of dietary fiber from the whole grain flours.
• Minerals: Contains iron and manganese, thanks to the molasses.
• Note: Nutritional values are estimates and can vary based on used.
Pro Tips
• Pro-Tips for Perfect Boston Brown Bread
• Don’t Overmix: For a tender, soft crumb, mix the batter just until the are combined. Overmixing can lead to a tough, dense bread.
• DIY Buttermilk: No buttermilk? No problem! Make your own by adding 2 tablespoons of white vinegar or lemon juice to 2 cups of milk. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes to curdle before using.
• Perfect Pairings: While traditionally served with baked beans, this bread is fantastic toasted with butter, cream cheese, or a drizzle of honey.
• Storage Savvy: Store the cooled bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. It also freezes beautifully for up to 3 months.
