Soda bread is the traditional bread of Ireland and is still made daily in homes throughout the country.
Prep Time 10 minutesminutes
Cook Time 45 minutesminutes
Total Time 55 minutesminutes
Servings 8servings
Ingredients
1 ¾cupswhole wheat flour
1 ¾cupsall-purpose flour
1teaspoonsalt
1teaspoonbaking soda
3tablespoonsseedsany combination you like (optional)
2tablespoonssoftened butter
1egg
1 ⅔cupsbuttermilk
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
In a large bowl, sift together both the flours, salt, and baking soda. Add the seeds if using them.
Add the butter to the flour and seed mixture. Using just your fingertips, rub the butter into the flour until it resembles coarse crumbs.
In another bowl or measuring cup, lightly whisk the egg together with the buttermilk.
Make a well in the center of the flour and butter mixture and pour in approximately 3/4 of the buttermilk and egg mixture. Using your hand, bring the dry and wet ingredients together. Work in a circular motion beginning in the center and bringing in flour from the sides of the bowl. Add more of the buttermilk if needed to make a soft but not sticky dough.
Lightly flour your work surface and turn the dough out. Gently shape the dough into a round about 1 1/2 inches thick. Transfer to a baking sheet and cut a deep cross in the top of the dough round.
Bake for 15 minutes. Turn the oven down to 400 degrees and continue baking for an additional 30 minutes. To test whether the loaf is done, tap it on the bottom. If it sounds hollow, it’s ready.