'Really, really great bread.' 'I really like the tartness of the berries and the oatmeal is a selling point.' |
This gorgeous fruity Cranberry, Molasses, Oatmeal & Nut Loaf bread is the perfect companion to Irish Cheeses on St Patrick's Day...and is wonderful toasted the day after.
The bread, based on Irish soda breads, is yeast-free AND is ready for the oven in 10 minutes. It's so rich it doesn't need buttering (though many people can't resist). Weighty but not heavy, it's delicious with a myriad of complementary flavours.
It is healthy, too. The wholemeal content is high, making the crust gorgeously chewy but the interior soft and yielding. Nutrient rich molasses (low on the glycemic index) and cholesterol-battling oatmeal add sweet smokiness. Fresh cranberries give a pop of colour and delicious tartness. Heart-friendly nuts add crunch.
The bread keeps well in an air-tight tin for a couple of days - if it lasts that long. It freezes well.
Dried berries can replace fresh but blanch in boiling water, drain & dry before adding to the flour.
Cost: £4.00'ish
Makes: one large loaf; recipe halves nicely
Ingred:
14oz/390 gm plain common wheat or spelt flour, 50-50 white + wholemeal (OR 9.5oz/275 gm white + and 4oz/115gm wholemeal)
3oz/90g oatmeal, blitzed in a blender till fine
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
4oz/113gm cold butter, in small cubes
3/4 cup fresh cranberries, washed & drained OR dried berries reconstituted in boiling water 5 mins, rinsed & drained well
scant half cup coarsely chopped nuts
zest of an orange
340ml buttermilk* stirred
1/4 cup/60ml molasses
1 extra large egg or 2 small eggs, beaten
Equipment:
- 900gm/2 pound metal bread tin, OR 2 1 pound bread tins, lined with a strip of greaseproof paper down the bottom and extending above either side (makes it easier to get the bread out); grease sides of tin OR
- baking tray
Method:
- Preheat oven to 375f/190c/170fan/gas5
- Mix dry ingred in a large bowl; add butter and rub together (or process) until butter resembles peas
- Mix in orange zest, distributing evenly, then gently mix through cranberries and nuts until berries are completely coated in flour
- Whisk buttermilk, molasses & egg/s; beware molasses sitting on the bottom of the container
- Make a well in the dry ingred; add liquid, stir well until it is absorbed (this may take a few mins); the mix will be thick and unwieldy
- Either scrape mix into bread tin, levelling out the top OR form into a round with floured hands and place on baking tray
- Bake 45 mins, turning the tray once for even browning; a cocktail stick inserted in the middle should come out clean; if not leave a further 10 mins.
- Tap the underside; it it doesn't sound hollow, turn loaf upside down, return to oven for 10 mins
Comments:
'Really, really great bread - I would have this any time of day but restrict myself for dietary reasons!' Retired writer
'I really like the taste and the tartness of the berries and the oatmeal is a selling point. The texture was good- maybe slightly dry in the crust - but stayed fresh the day after. I prefer it at teatime, buttered, in small slices.' Senior council co-ordinator.
'Really, really great bread - I would have this any time of day but restrict myself for dietary reasons!' Retired writer
'I really like the taste and the tartness of the berries and the oatmeal is a selling point. The texture was good- maybe slightly dry in the crust - but stayed fresh the day after. I prefer it at teatime, buttered, in small slices.' Senior council co-ordinator.
Health Notes:
Oatmeal is considered a whole grain powerhouse and helps reduce bad cholesterol. Doctors recommend eating it daily; if you're looking for a break from porridge or granola (see sugar-free Perfect Porridge/Ultra Granola), this loaf is a great substitute.
Nutrient-rich molasses is high in iron, calcium and potassium. Though it is a sugar, it's low on the glycemic index, causes fewer spikes in blood sugar and can be a healthier option for diabetics.
Tips:
- replace buttermilk with 3/4 0-fat (not thick) yoghurt plus 1/4 water Or, in a pinch, add 2 tablespoons lemon juice or vinegar to milk and leave 15 mins (fortified unsweetened, additive free plant milks work well here)
- extra large egg can be replaced with 2 small eggs but reduce liquid by 2 tablespoons
- thick slices of the bread work better in a toaster; otherwise the grill or a air fryer does a great job
- the bread goes well with strong cheeses - double Gloucester with chives and onion, Gorgonzola, Cambozola, blue cheeses
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This recipe has been developed by B Lee/ Bright Sun Enterprises and may not be reproduced, in any form, without the author's written permission.
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