1 cup (packed) dried currants (about 5 ounces)
1/3 cup brandy
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup unbleached all purpose flour
3/4 cup whole grain rye flour **
3/4 cup yellow cornmeal
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1 3/4 cups buttermilk
2 large eggs
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
1/4 cup mild flavored (light) molasses
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, cooled
nonstick vegetable oil spray
Maple-Molasses Butter

Directions:
Combine currants and brandy in small bowl. Let mixture stand until currants plump slightly, about 45 minutes.

Generously butter four 14½ to 16 ounce cans. Place rack in bottom of heavy large pot. Pour enough water into pot to reach depth of 3 inches. Bring water to boil.

Mix whole wheat flour and next 6 ingredients in large bowl. Whisk buttermilk, eggs, syrup, molasses and melted butter in medium bowl to blend. Mix into dry ingredients. Stir in currant mixture.

Divide batter among prepared cans. Cut out four 12 x 6 inch pieces of foil. Fold foil crosswise in half, forming 6 inch squares. Spray foil with vegetable oil spray. Cover tops of cans with foil, sprayed side down, leaving 2 inch high space above cans so that bread can rise. Secure foil tightly with heavy rubber bands or string just below rims of cans.

Place cans on steamer rack in pot; pour additional water into pot to bring water two-thirds up sides of cans. Bring water to boil. Cover pot; reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until wooden skewer inserted into center of bread comes out clean, occasionally adding more hot water to pot, about 45 minutes.

Using tongs, transfer cans to rack. Let cool 10 minutes. Remove rubber bands and foil. Run small knife around sides of breads to loosen. Gently shake to remove breads from cans. Cut breads into 1/2 inch thick slices. Serve warm with Maple-Molasses Butter.

**Available at natural foods stores and some supermarkets

Makes 4 small loaves

Maple-Molasses Butter
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
2 tablespoons mild flavored (light) molasses

Directions:
Mix all ingredients in small bowl until well blended.

Makes about 1 cup

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