Icelandic Brown Bread Recipe - from Bake.Eat.Repeat. (2024)

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Easy to make, slightly sweet, soft and perfect for your morning toast – this Icelandic brown bread is amazing. You need to try it!

Icelandic Brown Bread Recipe - from Bake.Eat.Repeat. (1)

So, anyone out there ever had Icelandic brown bread? Yeah….didn’t think so.

This maybe isn’t a recipe that the masses are clamouring for. But you know what? They should be. It’s a fantastic, easy to make, brown bread that is a bit sweet, super soft, and just perfect for your morning toast.

So why Icelandic brown bread? Well, because I’m part Icelandic and so I had it fairly often growing up. My grandma’s family is from Iceland, although I’ll be honest, I haven’t really had a ton of Icelandic food. There were the few things that we would have at my Grandma’s house whenever we were visiting, but that’s about it. And occasionally my dad would bring home some dried fish and he and I would happily inhale it (being the only two in the house that actually liked it! As a side note, I haven’t had that in years – I wonder where I can find it?).

Icelandic Brown Bread Recipe - from Bake.Eat.Repeat. (2)

I have a couple of Icelandic recipes from my Grandma, although I haven’t yet attempted to make my favourite of all, a cake that she made every Christmas. It’s so good though, andI might need to try making it this year, just so that I can share it with you!

The one I make on a regular basis is this one – Icelandic brown bread. This recipe was from my great Aunt, and was originally meant to be made in a bread machine. But I never did really care for the strange square shaped loaves that you get out of a bread machine and so I haven’t used one in years. If you prefer to use one though, this recipe works well on the whole grain setting – it will make one large, 2 pound loaf.

I like it as two smaller 8×4 inch loaves, made in bread pans. Either way, it’s the perfect bread for toast. We love it toasted for breakfast with peanut butter or jam.

Even if you haven’t grown up with Icelandic brown bread – you will love it. It’s fantastic!

Icelandic Brown Bread Recipe - from Bake.Eat.Repeat. (3)

Yield: 2 - 8x4 inch loaves

Icelandic Brown Bread

Icelandic Brown Bread Recipe - from Bake.Eat.Repeat. (4)

Easy to make, slightly sweet, soft and perfect for your morning toast - this Icelandic brown bread is amazing. You need to try it!

Prep Time20 minutes

Cook Time1 hour

Total Time1 hour 20 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 1/3 cup (315mL) warm water
  • 1/4 cup (57g) butter, melted and cooled
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons (6g) granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup (105g) brown sugar, lightly packed
  • 1/4 cup (90g) molasses
  • 2 teaspoons (12g) salt
  • 2 cups (10oz, 280g) all-purpose flour
  • 2 1/2 cups (12.5oz, 350g) whole wheat flour (plus up to 1/2 cup (2.5oz, 70g) extra, if needed)
  • 1 tablespoon (11g) instant yeast

Instructions

  1. In the bowl of a stand mixer with the dough hook attached, or in a large bowl with a wooden spoon or dough whisk, combine the water, butter, sugar, brown sugar and molasses.
  2. Add the salt, all-purpose flour, 2 1/2 cups (350g) whole wheat flour and the yeast.
  3. Mix with the dough hook until everything is combined.
  4. After mixing for a minute or so, the dough should come together and clear the sides and bottom of the bowl.
  5. If it is too wet and sticky to clear the bottom of the bowl, sprinkle in a little more whole wheat flour, a tablespoon at a time, until the dough clears the bottom of the bowl. It should be soft and slightly tacky to the touch, but not overly sticky.
  6. Knead the dough for 8-10 minutes (12-14 by hand) until it is smooth and elastic.
  7. Remove the dough to a lightly oiled bowl, turning it to coat, and cover tightly with plastic wrap.
  8. Allow it to rise until almost doubled, about 2 hours.
  9. Punch down the dough and turn it out onto a lightly oiled surface.
  10. Divide it into two pieces and shape each into a loaf by pressing it into a thick rectangle and then roll it up from the long edge, pressing the seam as you do so.
  11. Place each loaf seam side down into an oiled 8x4 inch bread pan and cover loosely with plastic wrap.
  12. Allow the loaves to rise for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until they have almost doubled.
  13. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  14. Bake the loaves for 50-60 minutes, or until browned and cooked through.
  15. Turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

32

Serving Size:

2 slices

Amount Per Serving:Calories: 68Total Fat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 4mgSodium: 146mgCarbohydrates: 12gFiber: 1gSugar: 5gProtein: 1g

Nutrition Information is estimated based on ingredients used and may not be exact.

Icelandic Brown Bread Recipe - from Bake.Eat.Repeat. (2024)

FAQs

Why is bread in Iceland so good? ›

Additionally, Icelandic rye bread is slow-baked, and the prolonged cooking time in the natural geothermal heat of the earth plays a role in enhancing the sweetness of the bread.

What is the famous bread in Iceland? ›

The first and foremost of Icelandic loaves of bread is rú*gbrauð, or sweet, dark rye bread. Nowadays, there are several ways to make rú*gbrauð, but it was traditionally baked in a pot or steamed.

Where in Iceland do they bake bread in the ground? ›

Iceland. In Laugarvatn, the community has been harnessing this geothermal energy to cook and heat their homes for at least a century. Sigurður “Siggi” Rafn Hilmarsson learned how to make hot-springs bread from his grandmother.

Why is Iceland food so expensive? ›

A. Iceland is relatively expensive compared to many other countries but on the other hand, the average salary is higher than in most other countries. There are several reasons for Iceland's high prices, including a small market, oligopoly, high reliance on imports, geographical isolation and high import taxes and tolls ...

Which country makes the best bread in the world? ›

Iceland. Iceland is considered one of the countries with the best bread in the world, much of which can be attributed to the unique methods it employs for its bread-making. The Icelandic rye bread is high in sugar and is baked underground using bubbling lava sand as the heat source.

What is the most eaten food in Iceland? ›

What Do They Eat in Iceland? The most typical Icelandic food is fish, lamb, or Icelandic skyr. These have been the main elements of the Icelandic diet for over a thousand years. Icelandic meals are commonly meat-based due to the lack of farmable lands in the past.

What do Icelandic people eat for breakfast? ›

The main components of a typical Icelandic breakfast include eggs, bacon, sausages, and skyr. Skyr is a traditional Icelandic yogurt that is high in protein and low in fat. It is often served with brown sugar, berries, or cream. Another popular dish is oatmeal or hafragrautur, which is made with rolled oats and milk.

What is the national dish in Iceland? ›

1. Hákarl (Fermented Shark) Iceland's national dish is Hákarl, a fermented shark dish. The sharks are usually Greenland sharks, and their meat is poisonous unless it's been fermented.

What is the most popular dessert in Iceland? ›

Undoubtedly the most famous Icelandic dessert product is Skyr which can be found in supermarkets worldwide and is most likened to a yoghurt.

What does Icelandic bread taste like? ›

This dense, mildly sweet, hearty rye bread is ubiquitous in its native Iceland, where it's traditionally sliced very thin and served with smoked, cured, or pickled foods.

Why are hot dogs so popular in Iceland? ›

Unlike its counterparts in other countries and cultures, the hot dog of Iceland is well celebrated in the country. It's not just a quick and easy meal you can buy on the streets but an authentic culinary experience made from high-quality and healthier ingredients.

What ground meat do they eat in Iceland? ›

The meats can range from sheep, lamb, pork, beef, and even a horse or a whale. While the fish is culturally significant for the local dwellers, the meat is also quickly becoming a good choice for locals and tourists alike. Both of these lean meats has become a staple of what do people eat in Iceland.

Why is Icelandic bread so good? ›

The two key elements here are low and slow. The bread develops considerable sweetness by allowing the loaf to cook over a much longer period than if you were to place it in a regular oven. The dough contains no yeast; instead, a sourdough starter kicks off proceedings.

How much is a loaf of bread in Iceland? ›

Sample prices by item
ItemISK (average)Price in GBP (approx)
Imported beer (330ml)1,000£5.90
Milk (1 litre)206£1.20
Bread (loaf)445£2.65
Eggs (dozen)754£4.45
12 more rows

Why is food in Iceland so good? ›

But most people don't have a clue what to expect when it comes to Iceland's food culture. Like in most of Scandinavia, the cuisine is entirely inspired by the ingredients Icelanders have around them, from the free-roaming sheep to the cod, herring, and Arctic char that splash around the cold waters.

Why does bread taste better in Europe? ›

The biggest difference between American breads versus European breads is the quality of the ingredients used in each bread. Standard, store-bought American bread contains many preservatives and fillers that are banned in European countries.

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