Whole Grain Soda Bread

(For a more traditional St. Patrick’s Day celebration)

For us St. Patrick’s day is all about Corned beef, Cabbage, Red Potatoes, and Soda Bread. I dream about Soda bread all year long and get so excited to make it every March!

My Mom inherited this recipe when we were living in Wisconsin, and in a town with thick Irish Influence. She clipped it from a magazine and has been well-loved all these years later.  I have experimented on Pinterest over the years but ultimately I always come back to this original one in it’s simplest form.

I always make two loaves and it is never enough. It also tastes amazing as leftover corned beef sandwiches. Trust me.

 

Whole- Grain Soda Bread

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 1/2 cups white flour
• 1 cup quick-cooking oats (uncooked)
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 6 tbsp margarine or butter
• 1 1/2 cups golden raisins * optional
• 1 1/2 cups buttermilk

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 Degrees Fahrenheit. And grease a cookie sheet.

In a large bowl combine the dry ingredients. With a pastry blender or two knives cut in margarine or butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in raisins.

Slowly add buttermilk, just until the flour is moistened (dough will be sticky)

Turn the dough on a well-floured surface, with floured hands knead 8-10 strokes to mix thoroughly. Shape dough into a ball and then place on a cookie sheet.

Sprinkle the ball with flour. In the center of the ball cut 4-inch criss-cross, about 1/4 inch deep.

Bake bread 1 hour or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. remove from cookie sheet and cool on wire rack.

This recipe makes one loaf or about 12 servings.