Anadama Bread : A Classic New England Recipe

Anadama bread is a beloved and traditional New England bread, known for its distinctive sweet and nutty flavor, thanks to its unique blend of cornmeal and molasses. 

This recipe for Anadama bread is near and dear to me.  For me, Anadama bread is synonymous with my Nana.  It's the most beloved of all the baked goods she ever made for me.  

Hearty Anadama Bread: A Bread Machine Recipe

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Anadama bread is a hearty loaf, often enjoyed toasted with butter or used for sandwiches. It has a rich history rooted in the New England's agricultural heritage. The origins of Anadama bread can be traced back to the early days of New England settlement when corn, a staple crop in the region, was used to make cornmeal, which was then incorporated into various baked goods. The addition of molasses, a byproduct of sugar production, provided a touch of sweetness and a deep, rich flavor. 

A little research tells me the name "Anadama" is believed to be a corruption of the word "anatto," a red dye derived from a tropical plant that was sometimes added to the bread, but my Nana said it had something to do with the phrase, Anna, Damn her! LOL!

While the exact recipe for Anadama bread may vary slightly from baker to baker, the core ingredients remain consistent: cornmeal, molasses, wheat flour, yeast, salt, and water. The combination of these ingredients results in a loaf with a slightly dense texture and a rich, complex flavor.

Nana made her traditional Anadama bread, kneading the dough lovingly and baking it in a cast iron, wood-fired oven. Today, I am sharing an update to her recipe, using a bread machine.  Anadama bread can be easily made in a bread machine for a convenient and hands-off approach. 

Why You'll Love This Anadama Bread Recipe

A Delightful Blend of Flavor and Texture: This Anadama bread recipe offers a tasty combination of sweet and nutty flavors, thanks to the molasses and cornmeal. The slightly dense texture provides a satisfying chew, perfect for toast or as the perfect accompaniment to many dishes. 

Easy to Make at Home: Whether you're a seasoned baker or just starting out, this recipe is simple to follow. The use of a bread machine makes the process even easier, allowing you to enjoy fresh, homemade Anadama bread without hassle.

Versatile Serving Options: Anadama bread is incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed in many ways. Make it into a loaf or rolls. Toast it with butter or jam for a simple breakfast or snack. Use it to make delicious sandwiches or grilled cheese. Or, serve it alongside soups, stews, or chili for a hearty and satisfying meal.

Freeze it for Later: The hearty texture means this bread will freeze well.  Wrap it well in plastic wrap and place it in a freezer bag for your freezer.

How to Make Anadama Bread in Your Bread Machine

I hope you'll love this bread as much as I do.  The ingredients are simple.  I use bread flour in my recipe but you can use one cup of whole wheat flour with two cups of bread flour if you prefer.  You'll find the addition of wheat flour makes the bread a little more dense.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup cornmeal
  
• ¼ cup molasses
• 2 T unsalted butter
• 1 cup boiling water
• 1 tsp table salt
• 3 cups bread flour
• 2 tsp bread machine yeast

Instructions:

1. Prepare wet ingredients: Boil one cup of water.  Add the cornmeal, molasses, butter, and salt to the boiling water.  Stir and set aside to cool to lukewarm.
2. Add the wet ingredients: Add the lukewarm wet ingredients to the bread machine.
3. Add dry ingredients: Add the flour, and yeast into the bread machine. Spread evenly.
4. Set the machine: Select your bread machine's "Dough" cycle.
5. Start the machine: Close the lid and press the "Start" button.
6. Check the dough: After about 10-15 minutes, check the dough. It should be a soft, slightly sticky ball. If it's too dry, add a tablespoon of water at a time. If it's too wet, add a tablespoon of flour at a time.
7. Shape the dough: Once the dough cycle is complete, remove the dough from the bread machine and shape it into a loaf. Place the loaf in a greased loaf pan and let rise until the center of the loaf is about an inch above the rim of the pan.
8. Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Bake the loaf for 35-40 minutes, or until the loaf has reached an internal temperature of 190 degrees F on a digital thermometer.
9. Cool: Cool the loaf in the pan for 10 minutes then remove the bread from the pan and allow it to cool on a wire rack before slicing.

Serving Suggestions

Anadama bread is versatile and can be enjoyed in many ways. Some popular serving suggestions include:

• Anadama bread is delicious in its simplest form, toasted with butter or jam.
• Anadama bread makes a tasty, hearty sandwich.
• Serving Anadama bread with soup or stew is a family favorite. Divide the dough into rolls for a change.
• Grill thick slices with your favorite cheese for a hearty twist on the classic grilled cheese sandwich.

Try this bread machine cinnamon raisin bread, too!

Bread-Making Kitchen Essentials

A dependable bread machine.

A good loaf pan. Metal is preferred.

A good bread knife.

Anadama Bread: Bread Machine Recipe

sandwich bread, bread machine recipe, hearty bread recipe

bread

American

Yield: 12, one large loaf

Author: Donna Urso

Anadama Bread: A Bread Machine Recipe

A hearty wheat bread made with corn meal and molasses.

Prep time: 10 MinCook time: 40 MinInactive time: 2 HourTotal time: 2 H & 50 M

Ingredients

• ½ cup cornmeal
• ¼ cup molasses
• 2 T butter
• 1 cup boiling water
• 1 tsp table salt
• 3 cups bread flour
• 2 tsp bread machine yeast

Instructions

1. Prepare wet ingredients: Boil one cup of water. Add the cornmeal, molasses, butter, and salt to the boiling water. Stir and set aside to cool to lukewarm.
2. Add the wet ingredients: Add the lukewarm wet ingredients to the bread machine.
3. Add dry ingredients: Add the flour, and yeast into the bread machine. Spread evenly.
4. Set the machine: Select the "Dough" cycle on your bread machine.
5. Start the machine: Close the lid and press the "Start" button.
6. Check the dough: After about 10-15 minutes, check the dough. It should be a soft, slightly sticky ball. If it's too dry, add a tablespoon of water at a time. If it's too wet, add a tablespoon of flour at a time.
7. Shape the dough: Once the dough cycle is complete, remove the dough from the bread machine and shape it into a loaf. Place the loaf in a greased loaf pan and let rise until the center of the loaf is about an inch above the rim of the pan.
8. Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Bake the loaf for 35-40 minutes, or until the loaf as reached an internal temperature of 190 degrees F on a digital thermometer.
9. Cool: Cool the loaf in the pan for 10 minutes then remove the bread from the pan and allow it to cool on a wire rack before slicing.

Notes

Bake time will vary based on your oven, the loaf pan size you use, and whether your pan is metal or ceramic.

Recommended Products

Bread Slicer Guide

Baking Racks

Bread Machine

Nutrition Facts

Calories

178.25

Fat (grams)

2.9 g

Sat. Fat (grams)

1.38 g

Carbs (grams)

33.08 g

Fiber (grams)

1.59 g

Net carbs

31.49 g

Sugar (grams)

5.44 g

Protein (grams)

4.74 g

Sodium (milligrams)

213.92 mg

Cholesterol (grams)

5.09 mg

Nutritional information is approximate.

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©Just One Donna