Irish Soda Bread

As today is Saint Patrick's Day, I would like to share a traditional Irish recipe.

Irish Soda Bread

 

1 ¾ cup all-purpose flour

1 ½ cup whole wheat flour
¾ cup quick oats
½ cup toasted wheat germ
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 ½ teaspoons salt
½ cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into small pieces
1 tablespoon caraway seeds
1 ¾ cup buttermilk

 

1) Preheat oven to 400. Sprinkle baking sheet with flour.

2) In a large bowl, combine dry ingredients. Add butter and toss to coat with flour mixture. With fingertips, blend butter into flour until mixture resembles coarse meal.

3) Add caraway seeds; stir to combine. Stir in the buttermilk, adding up to ¼ cup more if necessary to moisten dough evenly (do not overwork the dough).

 

4) On a floured surface, knead the dough with floured hands for 1 to 2 minutes, sprinkling with some additional flour to prevent sticking. Divide dough in half and pat into two 5-inch rounds. Place the rounds on the prepared baking sheet, sprinkle lightly with flour, and spread out the dough slightly with your fingers.

 

5) With a sharp knife, cut a shallow X on top of each round. Bake in the middle of the oven for 35 minutes or until golden brown. To test for doneness, tap on the bottom of each loaf; it should sound hollow. Cool rounds on a wire rack.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

 

May the strength of God

pilot us,

May the wisdom of God

instruct us,

May the Hand of God

protect us,

May the Word of God

direct us.

 

~Saint Patrick

Love,

Ava Katherine<3