One Bowl Colonial Brown Bread is a slightly sweet, hearty quick bread made with whole wheat flour and brown sugar. No yeast, eggs, or kneading required. Serve with salted butter and jam.
Quick breads are tasty and satisfying. You get the pleasure of making bread without all the extra steps that go along yeast: proofing, kneading, rising, and rising again. This bread has the added bonus of one bowl usage. The preparation could be simpler. Add all your ingredients in the bowl except buttermilk. Whisk together, break up brown sugar lumps and stir in buttermilk. That’s all there is to it.
This is a outstanding choice for a recipe that will interest kids in making. If they can measure and stir, they can make this recipe. And, if they make it, they likely going to eat it. It uses whole grain flour so you get the benefit of whole grains.
This recipe is similar to Irish Soda Bread . In fact the only difference is the addition of brown sugar to this recipe. Both are rustic, historic breads.
The taste of Colonial Brown Bread reminds me of Boston Brown Bread which I used to make at Christmas for gifts. Boston Brown Bread has raisins added and is steamed instead of baked like Colonial Brown Bread. I haven’t thought about in quite a while but now that I’m reminded, I think I’ll make some soon.
What makes Colonial Brown Bread rise?
The leavening in this quick bread comes from a chemical reaction between buttermilk and baking soda.
There’s no oil in Colonial Brown Bread. You should edit the recipe and correct your mistake.
No mistake made. The only fat comes from buttermilk which is why it’s important to get buttermilk with the highest fat content you can find.
Do you recommend Colonial Brown Bread as a breakfast food or afternoon snack with tea?
It’s a wonderful choice for either or both! I prefer it toasted and slathered with salted butter and jam. Think about adding along side this acai bowl for a satisfying breakfast.
Can I freeze this bread?
Yes, it freezes well. To freeze it whole, wrap in plastic wrap and storage in a freezer bag or container. To freeze slices, wrap individually with plastic wrap and store in a freezer bag or container.
Instructions for Colonial Brown Bread
- Prepare two standard size loaf pans with flour and oil or baking spray.
- Add both flours, brown sugar, ,baking soda, and salt to a large mixing bowl.
- Whisk together and break up brown sugar clumps.
- Add buttermilk. You will think it’s too much buttermilk and you’ve just ruined your recipe. It’s the exact amount needed. Stir it all together and you’ll see. Whole wheat flour soaks up a lot of liquid.
- Perfect texture!
- Divide the batter between the two prepared loaf pans. Smooth out the batter in the pans. Bake in 350 degree preheated oven for 50 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Cool in pans for 15 minutes.
- Remove from pans.
- Slice with a serrated knife.
- Serve with salted butter and jam. If you don’t have salted butter, sprinkle salt atop the butter before adding jam.
One Bowl Colonial Brown Bread
Equipment
- 2 loaf pans affiliate link
- 1 serrated knife affiliate link
- 1 stainless steel mixing bowl affiliate link
Ingredients
preheat oven: 350 °F
- 4 cups whole wheat flour
- 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cup brown sugar packed
- 1 tablespoon baking soda
- 1 heaping teaspoon kosher salt
- 4 cups buttermilk whole fat
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients, except buttermilk, in a large mixing bowl. Use a whisk to break up the brown sugar and make sure it mixes well.
- Stir in buttermilk. Keep stirring until wet and dry ingredients are mixed well and no streaks of flour remain.
- Divide batter between 2 greased and floured standard size loaf pans.
- Bake at 350 °F for 50 minutes or until inserted toothpick comes out clean.
- Let cool in pans for 15 minutes and then remove from loaf pans. Serve warm with butter and jam.
You might also enjoy:
Whole Wheat Sweet Potato Biscuits
Rachel Harter says
I own four Gooseberry Patch cookbooks. As a newlywed, I am just beginning my cookbook collection!
Margaret Chesney says
I have several Gooseberry Patch Cookbooks. Too many to count!! I love them all.
Elaine S says
I just recently discovered these wonderful books and have 3 Gooseberry Patch cookbooks so far but want more. I think I may have a new hobby of collecting them all.
Sandy Perry says
I so want this cookbook for my friend she and both love Gooseberry Patch cookbooks. I love the recipe for the bread and the rice too!
Dolores says
I have four Goosberry books. Anxious to try brown bread recipe.
Jackie Garvin says
Dolores,
Please let me know what you think of Colonial Brown Bread. I’m going to make another batch for a luncheon I’m having next week. 🙂
Katy Lamb says
I don’t have any Gooseberry Patch cookbooks. This recipe sounds delicious!!
Barbara says
My husband’s grandmother used to bake Boston Brown Bread. She was from Vermont and served the bread with Boston Baked Beans and hot dogs every Saturday night I’m told. Would love to try this recipe but was wondering if milk soured with lemon juice would work instead of buttermilk as I don’t have any on hand?
Jackie Garvin says
Barbara,
You absolutely can use a buttermilk substitute. In the rare occasion I don’t have buttermilk in my house, I use it for baking. To one cup of milk, use one tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice.
I hope you enjoy the brown bread.