Whole Wheat Irish Soda Bread

Recipe modified by Strive for Wellness^®

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
Servings: 16 servings (Size: 2 ounces)

Ingredients:

4 cups white whole wheat flour, plus a little extra for dusting
2 tablespoons white sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
4 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces
1 cup raisins, optional
1 tablespoon caraway seeds, optional
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1¾ cups buttermilk

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Grease and set aside a large baking sheet.
2. Add and whisk together flour, sugar, salt and baking soda in a large mixing bowl.
3. Cut butter into flour mixture until well combined, using either a pastry cutter or a fork.
4. Add raisins and caraway seeds, and stir until combined. For a more authentic Irish soda bread, skip this step.
5. Make a well in the middle of the flour mixture, and add lightly beaten egg and buttermilk to the well.
6. Stir until just incorporated, making sure not to overmix. Some lumps of flour may remain, which is okay.
7. Dust hands with flour and form dough into a round loaf. Place the dough onto the prepared sheet.
8. Using a serrated knife, cut 1-2” deep in a crosshatch fashion, which will allow heat to enter the dough.
9. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until top is browned and bread sounds hollow when the bottom is tapped. If top gets too brown too quickly, you can cover with aluminum foil while the bread finishes cooking.