Heirloom Brown Bread Recipes

OLD SCHOOL, NOVA SCOTIA BROWN BREAD

Steps:

• In large bowl, add bran, oatmeal. Add 4 cups boiling water and stir. Allow to stand for ten minutes. (The boiling water will melt the shortening, no need to melt beforehand)
• After 10 minutes proof the yeast; in a small bowl combine 2 tablespoons yeast, 2 teaspoons sugar and one cup of warm water. Allow to stand 10 minutes to proof.
• Add to bran mixture, one cup of molasses, stir, then add the yeast mixture and stir.
• Knead in 10 ½ to 11 ½ cups of flour, move onto floured surface as required and knead until dough feels firm "like a baby's bottom". (This term has been used with this recipe, dating back 50+ years. Bread and babies have changed very little.)
• Let rise in a warm, dry spot until double in size
• Divide and move to greased/prepared bread pans (makes 3 large sized loafs).
• Let rise again in pans and bake at 350⁰F (180⁰C) for 40 minutes until golden brown.
• Remove from oven and cool before turning out of pans.

AUTHENTIC BOSTON BROWN BREAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the first six ingredients. In another bowl, whisk the buttermilk, molasses, brown sugar and oil. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in walnuts and raisins. Transfer to a greased 8x4-in. loaf pan; cover with foil., Place pan on a rack in a boiling-water canner or other large, deep pot; add 1 in. of hot water to pot. Bring to a gentle boil; cover and steam for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, adding more water to the pot as needed. , Remove pan from the pot; let stand for 10 minutes before removing bread from pan to a wire rack. Serve with cream cheese if desired.

OLD-FASHIONED BROWN BREAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, pour boiling water over oats. Stir in butter and molasses. Let stand until mixture cools to 120°-130°, stirring occasionally., In another bowl, combine 3-1/2 cups flour, yeast and salt. Beat in oat mixture until blended. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough., Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour., Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide in half. Shape into loaves. Place in two greased 9x5-in. loaf pans. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes., Meanwhile, preheat oven to 375°. Bake 35-40 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool.

HEIRLOOM BROWN BREAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl mix all ingredients in order written. Let stand at room temperature for 1/2 hour.
• Preheat oven to 350F and grease a large loaf pan. Pour bread mix into pan and bake 45-50 minutes.