Maine Molasses Quick Bread
Maine Molasses Quick Bread is a flavorful and moist bread, rich with the deep, earthy sweetness of molasses. It’s simple to make and a great accompaniment to any meal. Here’s how to make it!
Ingredients:
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 cup molasses (unsulfured)
- 1/2 cup buttermilk (or milk with 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar as a substitute)
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
- 1 large egg
Optional:
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or raisins (for added texture and flavor)
Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients:
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. This ensures even distribution of the dry ingredients.
3. Combine the Wet Ingredients:
- In a separate bowl, combine the molasses, buttermilk (or your milk mixture), melted butter, and egg. Stir until well mixed.
4. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as that can make the bread dense. If you’re adding nuts or raisins, fold them in at this stage.
5. Pour into the Pan:
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
6. Bake:
- Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean. If the top begins to brown too quickly, you can cover it loosely with foil during the last 10 minutes of baking.
7. Cool and Serve:
- Let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Slice and enjoy! It’s great as a breakfast bread, a snack, or paired with soups and stews.
This Maine Molasses Quick Bread has a moist, slightly dense texture with the perfect balance of spice and sweetness from the molasses. It’s also a perfect bread to make ahead since it stays fresh for a couple of days! Enjoy with a pat of butter or a drizzle of honey!
