Old Fashioned Boston Brown Bread Recipe

This traditional old-fashioned Boston brown bread recipe is delicious and easy to make, you can also make this homemade Boston brown bread in free form, in a baking pan, can, or bread machine. It’s perfect for breakfast or as a snack.

American Southern brown bread is made without yeast and instead uses buttermilk and baking soda that will give it its rise. This homemade Boston brown bread dough is infused with lots of molasses along with a combination of whole wheat flour, white flour, and rye, you have the option to add raisins to give it a fruity taste.

Best Boston Brown Bread Recipe

I love brown bread and there is no exception for this one, it’s the best Boston brown bread recipe that’s quick to make with simple-to-follow instructions, and the taste is authentic.

Old-fashioned Boston brown bread is definitely one of the most unique breads out there. The texture is dense but moist at the same time, with sweet buttermilk and molasses flavor.

Authentic homemade Boston brown bread is traditionally steamed rather than baked using some sort of can like coffee cans, but don’t worry, you have the option of baking them in the oven if you prefer using either a baking pan or a can.

Let’s make this easy Boston brown bread recipe!

Ingredients For Old Fashioned Boston Brown Bread

• 1 3/4 cups whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup white flour
• 1/4 cup dark rye flour
• 1/2 cup molasses
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups buttermilk
• 1 cup raisins (optional)

How To Make Old fashioned Boston Brown Bread?

1. Combine all ingredients and mix well. The dough will not be fully mixed.
2. Spoon into two well-greased, 1-pound size coffee cans or two 8X4 loaf pans.
3. Each should be half full, cover the top with a buttered aluminum foil cover tightened to the edges of the pan or can and tied with string or twine.
4. Oven-Baked Boston Bread: Let the filled coffee can stand for 30 minutes, then bake in a 350-degree oven for 45-50 minutes.
5. Steamed Boston Brown Bread: Place a small wire rack at the bottom of the poor or kettle. Place the filled cans or baking pan into the pot, then fill with boiling water until it reaches 2/3 thirds of the sides of the pan or can.
6. On high heat bring the water in the pot to a boil, then reduce the heat and cover it with a lid.
7. Steam the Boston brown bread for 2 hours adding more water as needed.
8. The bread is done when an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
9. Remove the cans or baking pans and allow the loaves to cool for 10 minutes, then remove them from the forms and cool them on a cooling rack.
10. Enjoy!

Old Fashioned Boston Brown Bread Recipe

This traditional old-fashioned Boston brown bread recipe is delicious and easy to make, you can also make this brown bread free form, in a baking pan or use a bread machine. It’s perfect for breakfast or as a snack.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Resting 30 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Course Bread

Cuisine American

Servings 12 slices

Calories 190 kcal

Ingredients

  

• 1 3/4 cups whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup white flour
• 1/4 cup dark rye flour
• 1/2 cup molasses
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups buttermilk
• 1 cup raisins optional

Instructions

 

• Combine all ingredients and mix well. The dough will not be fully mixed.
• Spoon into two well-greased, 1-pound size coffee cans or two 8X4 loaf pans.
• Each should be half full, cover the top with a buttered aluminum foil cover tightened to the edges of the pan or can and tied with string or twine.
• Boston Bread Oven Baked: Let the filled coffee can stand for 30 minutes, then bake in a 350-degree oven for 45-50 minutes.
• Steamed Boston Brown Bread: Place a small wire rack at the bottom of the poor or kettle. Place the filled cans or baking pan into the pot, then fill with boiling water until it reaches 2/3 thirds of the sides of the pan or can.
• On high heat bring the water in the pot to a boil, then reduce the heat and cover it with a lid.
• Steam the Boston brown bread for 2 hours adding more water as needed.
• The bread is done when an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
• Remove the cans or baking pans and allow the loaves to cool for 10 minutes, then remove them from the forms and cool them on a cooling rack.
• Enjoy!

Keyword Authentic Boston Brown Bread, Boston Brown Bread, Boston Brown Bread With Buttermilk, Boston Brown Bread Without Yeast, Homemade Boston Brown Bread, Old Fashioned Boston Brown Bread Recipe, Traditional Boston Brown Bread