Irish Soda Bread

Stacy made this bread for our St. Patrick's Day dinner.  It was super yummy and just finished off the meal.  We had Shepard's pie and although it was super good too, the pictures didn't turn out at all and the food was all gone lol.  We'll have to make it again so we have a picture to post the recipe with ;)  This bread would be great with pretty much anything.  Love love love it.

Irish Soda Bread

Adapted from a recipe found at ourbestbites

Ingredients You'll Need:

For Bread:

• 1 cup white bread flour
• 2 3/4 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
• 1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 teaspoons white sugar
• 4 Tablespoons butter
• 2 cups buttermilk
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil

  

For Topping:

• 1 Tablespoon buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon white sugar

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Spray a cookie sheet or other shallow baking pan with non stick cooking spray. 
• Whisk together the flour, wheat flour, salt, baking soda, and 2 teaspoons sugar in a bowl. Cut the butter into the flour mixture until pieces are crumb-size.
• Make a well in the center of the mixture and pour in the oil and buttermilk. Stir with a spatula until dry mixture is completely moistened. Move the dough to a well-floured surface.  The dough will be wet and sticky. Flour your hands to help with the stickiness.  Lightly knead the dough a few times and then form into a round ball and pat down a little.   
• Place the dough into the prepared pan; pat down and around to form a round loaf. 
• Cut a cross into the top of the loaf with a sharp knife. 
• Brush the top with 1 tablespoon buttermilk or milk, and sprinkle 1 teaspoon sugar over the top.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. 
• Reduce heat to 375 degrees F, rotate pan and bake another 25 minutes. 

Allow loaf to cool on a wire rack for about 15 minutes before slicing.

We had such a wonderful St. Patrick's Day this year.  I'm hoping it becomes a family tradition.  Crossing fingers!  Have a wonderful day!