Molasses Brown Soda Bread (Print Version)

Hearty brown soda bread featuring molasses, whole wheat, and buttermilk for a soft, flavorful loaf.

# Ingredients:

→ Dry Ingredients

01 - 300 g all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
02 - 210 g whole wheat flour
03 - 20 g wheat germ
04 - 9 g baking soda
05 - 6 g salt

→ Wet Ingredients

06 - 375 ml buttermilk
07 - 45 ml molasses
08 - 28 g butter, melted

# Steps:

01 - Preheat the oven to 220°C. Lightly flour a baking sheet and set aside.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, wheat germ, baking soda, and salt. Stir until well blended.
03 - In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, molasses, and melted butter until thoroughly combined.
04 - Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry mixture. Stir gently until a soft dough forms and no dry streaks remain.
05 - Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface. Gently knead just a few times to create a smooth ball, being careful not to overwork. Shape the dough into a round approximately 18 cm in diameter.
06 - Transfer the dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Dust the top with additional flour, then use a sharp knife to score a cross about 1.25 cm deep on the surface.
07 - Place the baking sheet in the oven. Bake at 220°C for 15 minutes.
08 - Reduce the oven temperature to 190°C. Continue baking for another 30 to 35 minutes, or until the loaf is fully baked and the base sounds hollow when tapped.
09 - Remove from the oven and wrap the bread in a clean tea towel to cool. Allow to rest, as the steam will help soften the crust.

# Notes:

01 - If buttermilk is unavailable, substitute by adding 2 teaspoons lemon juice or white vinegar to 375 ml milk, let stand for 5 minutes before use.
02 - Do not over knead the dough; minimal handling ensures a tender crumb.