From your description, sounds as if you are referring to Brown Bread. It is usually served with cream cheese and is dark brown. Here is a recipe from the Gold Medal Century of Success Cookbook (The Best Gold Medal Recipes of 100 Years)

STEAMED BROWN BREAD

2 cups buttermilk
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup cornmeal
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup raisins
3/4 cup light or dark molasses
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt

Grease four 16-ounce vegetable cans (4 1/4 x 3 inches)or 7-inch tube mold. Beat all ingredients in large mixer bowl on low speed, scraping bowl constantly, 30 seconds. Beat on medium speed, scraping bowl constantly, 30 seconds. Fill cans about 2/3 full. Cover tightly with aluminum foil.
Place cans on rack in Dutch oven or steamer; pour boiling water into Dutch oven to level of rack. Cover Dutch oven. Keep water boiling over low heat until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean, about 3 hours. (Add boiling water during steaming if necessary.) Immediately unmold bread (loosen sides of bread with spatula) on wire rack. 4 loaves.

Baked Brown Bread: Heat oven to 325 degrees. Pour batter into greased 2-quart round casserole. Bake about 1 hour.