I have been asked to bake a memory.
By Marie Coyle
@MarieCoyle (37104)
October 11, 2024 8:03pm CST
By my oldest daughter.
When I was small, my Dad's mother lived with us. She was a great cook and a baker, she cooked a lot differently than my other grandmother did, but both of them produced delicious food, I have no complaints.
One of the things my Dad's mom made for us sometimes was Boston Brown Bread. Often, it had raisins in it. It is a New England tradition, invented by Pilgrims. They had no ovens, only fireplaces. It was mixed and steamed in a can or a cylinder of some type. I learned to make it when I was little, but Grandma baked it in the oven, with a pan of steaming water next to it. When my kids were little, I would still make it once in a while, as I really did like it. My oldest girl loved it and still does.
It's made of wheat and rye flour, dark molasses, cornmeal, baking soda, a bit of milk, raisins...they did not have finely milled white flour in the colonies. It became somewhat of a tradition in the US to eat this bread with home cooked baked beans, which was how Grandma served it. My Dad usually squawked about having no meat (typical guy) so Grandma often had meat of some sort along with the bread and the beans.
You can still buy this in a can, but it's my understanding it's sometimes hard to find. A friend got some on Amazon. I just make my own, but I hadn't made any in quite some time. But over the weekend, I will be making a few ''canned'' loaves of Boston Brown Bread, and I will freeze one for another day. After all...she asked me so nicely, and it always includes a chance for us to see each other.
Have you ever had Boston Brown Bread?
*Picture from Amazon ad
20 people like this
20 responses
@marguicha (222756)
• Chile
12 Oct
This is not part of my culture but I would love to try it.
5 people like this
@MarieCoyle (37104)
•
12 Oct
There are recipes online for it...I did tell my daughter that but of course she said, ''Mom, I want the kind YOU make'' which then melts my heart and I know I will be making it for her. 
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (37104)
•
12 Oct
My oldest girl is all about memories, like me, in many ways. So is my younger son. My older son and my youngest aren’t quite as sentimental as mom and the other two kids. But that’s ok, it all blends and we all enjoy spending time together. Thank you, Rakski.
3 people like this
@sallypup (60954)
• Centralia, Washington
12 Oct
@MarieCoyle Old timey cakes need that pan of water in the bottom of the stove to help them steam moistly.
3 people like this
@MarieCoyle (37104)
•
12 Oct
@sallypup
And they are so good, so moist. Real cake, no mix in a box, just homemade. Yum.
3 people like this
@MarieCoyle (37104)
•
12 Oct
Once in a while, I have. No doubt it's now classed as ''old school'' but it is good stuff.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (37104)
•
12 Oct
I love to recreate an old style recipes, it’s fun. And like I said, some are good memories. Thank you, Judy.
3 people like this
@Deepizzaguy (102523)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
12 Oct
I do not recall eating Boston Brown Bread in my lifetime.
3 people like this
@Deepizzaguy (102523)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
12 Oct
@MarieCoyle I will give it a try one day.
2 people like this
@thislittlepennyearns (62063)
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
12 Oct
Nope, wont eat raisins.
3 people like this
@MarieCoyle (37104)
•
12 Oct
I don’t always make it with raisins, it’s good just plain, toasted with a bit of butter.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (92384)
• United States
16 Oct
Oh my goodness, I have not thought about this in forever! Yes, my great grandmother made it a couple times for us when I was very young. She and I didn’t share the earth long, but I do remember that, and that we always called her Grandma Cookie. Thank you for posting this.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (37104)
•
18 Oct
You can always try to recreate it.. sounds like a great memory. My own grandmothers were very instrumental in blessing me with their knowledge and love of cooking. Thank you, Amber.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (180361)
• United States
12 Oct
I think so but when I was a kid. I never felt compelled to buy it. I would like to try it with raisins.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (37104)
•
12 Oct
Molasses adds a different taste than sugars do. I personally love molasses/dark brown sugars, they seem a lot more flavorful to me. But some people do not like the taste.
I always put the raisins in mine, but I love raisins.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (135925)
• India
13 Oct
I have yet to try my hand at bread making/baking
1 person likes this
@allknowing (135925)
• India
13 Oct
@MarieCoyle There are several other ways in my kitchen to take away my frustration, if any (lol)
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (37104)
•
13 Oct
I have been making breads for years now, it's good food and good therapy. If you feel frustrated, go to the kitchen and make some bread dough. By the time you get it mixed up and kneaded, your frustrations will all be gone!
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (37104)
•
13 Oct
@allknowing
I don’t get frustrated very often. But I have a good friend who bakes bread and takes her frustrations out on the bread dough!
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (37104)
•
12 Oct
I miss bakeries. The little ones that you could find in downtown areas of towns and cities...the wonderful aroma of freshly baked goods...what a treat that used to be.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (37104)
•
13 Oct
@rebelann
It is...the little bakeries that each seemed to have a specialty. Donuts, certain cakes, exotic pies, different kinds of cookies, etc. And oh, that aroma that hit you when you opened the door to go inside! Pure heaven!!
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (471253)
• Switzerland
13 Oct
@MarieCoyle - The modern oven that also have the steam option are perfect for some baking.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (37104)
•
12 Oct
As many breads as you make, I knew you would understand the steaming part.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (37104)
•
14 Oct
@LadyDuck
I don't know of anyone that has those, unless they have it and have never used it or talked about it. But yes, that would be fun to try.
1 person likes this
@porwest (89914)
• United States
12 Oct
I've seen those in the can before. Is it already baked and ready to eat in the can or do you have to pour it into a bread pan and bake it? Never mind...I see the can says ready to serve. lol. I'd be one to complain about a meatless dinner, though.
1 person likes this
@porwest (89914)
• United States
13 Oct
@MarieCoyle Maybe I will have to try it one of these days, just for kicks and grins.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (37104)
•
14 Oct
@porwest
It's a dark bread, like I said the molasses in it gives it a different taste, for sure. But I do enjoy it.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (37104)
•
12 Oct
It has a different taste but it’s good. I really like it toasted with a bit of butter or cream cheese.
1 person likes this
@Dreamerby (4578)
• Calcutta, India
13 Oct
No but I buy brown bread from the market. Don't remember the brand. And yes, some cuisines are nostalgia and memories brewed
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (37104)
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14 Oct
I have never been a fan of white bread, unless it's a good sourdough.
1 person likes this
@Dreamerby (4578)
• Calcutta, India
14 Oct
@MarieCoyle Hmm I see. I have bread butter for breakfast sometimes.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160611)
• United States
12 Oct
I used to make it. I had a recipe that made three soup cans, and you cooked it in the crock pot. I lost my recipe, but it likely will show up one day.
1 person likes this
@much2say (55512)
• Los Angeles, California
13 Oct
I am looking at your photo of this bread in a can and I can't get over it . . . I've never seen or heard of this! Interestingly my mom used to make this steamed, baking soda "cake" (in a steamer with cheesecloth) . . . a recipe from my dad's city in Japan. But it was as big as you'd think it'd be from a steamer pot . . . not can sized. What do you use as your can mold - actual cans? I wanna try this 
!
!1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (37104)
•
13 Oct
I have some metal tube like pans that I use. A person can use a regular can if they want to, I suppose. This was just a thing when I grew up...if you had baked beans, you had Boston Brown Bread. You just did, it was like a rule that they go together, at least in my own family.
Anna spoke of making a cake that steamed from an Asian recipe...I haven't tried that. And some people have adapted this type of bread to a crock pot recipe. There are so many kinds of breads...I love making different ones.
@MarieCoyle (37104)
•
12 Oct
It’s a different type of taste, when it was first made back in the day, I love the unique taste, and the molasses in the bread makes it really good. Thank you!
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (105819)
• Marion, Ohio
12 Oct
I have never had it. Enjoy the time together
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (79648)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
12 Oct
I have seen those cans but never tried the Boston Brown Bread, I am sure she will enjoy the brown bread you make,
@LindaOHio (177847)
• United States
12 Oct
Yes. I remember my mother buying cans of it. I don't think I cared for the taste of it. Have a good weekend.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (37104)
•
12 Oct
I have had the version in the picture. I did think it was good. Amazing that it can stay fresh in the can for so long, too.
1 person likes this
