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+ servings

Irish Brown Soda Bread

5 from 6 votes
A super quick and easy whole wheat bread that requires no yeast!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Cooling Time 15 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings12

Ingredients

  • 2 ¾ cups whole wheat flour
  • 1 cup all purpose flour
  • 1 ¼ teaspoons salt
  • 1 ¼ teaspoons baking soda
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • 4 tablespoons cold butter
  • 2 cups buttermilk
  • ¼ cup vegetable oil

For topping:

  • 1-2 tablespoons buttermilk
  • 1-2 teaspoons sugar

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400℉. Line a baking sheet with parchment or spray a loaf pan with non-stick spray. *Read shaping instructions below before starting!
  • Whisk together the flour, whole wheat flour, salt, baking soda, and 2 teaspoons sugar in a bowl. Cut the butter into the flour mixture until pieces are crumb-size. *I suggest grating cold butter with a cheese grater and then crumbling mixture with fingers.
  • 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.

Freeform Shaping Instructions

  • Move the dough to a generously floured surface. The dough will be quite wet.  Use flour to avoid sticking and lightly knead the dough a few times and then form into a round ball.  Place on prepared baking sheet.  Use a sharp knife to cut a cross into the top of the loaf in an x shape.  Brush the top with about 1 tablespoon buttermilk or milk, and sprinkle 1-2 teaspoons sugar over the top.

Loaf Pan Instructions

  • Simply pour dough mixture into prepared loaf pans instead of forming into a shape.  Depending on your pan size you may get 2-3 smaller loaves or 1-2 large.  Fill pans about 3/4 full. 

Baking Instructions

  • Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Reduce heat to 375℉, rotate pan and bake another 20-30 minutes or until top is golden brown and skewer comes out clean.
  • Allow loaf to cool on a wire rack for about 15 minutes before slicing.

Notes

  • Store leftover, cooled bread in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in plastic at room temperature and enjoy within 3-4 days for best results.
  • Reheat individual slices in short intervals in the microwave (15-20 seconds) or reheat the entire loaf, wrapped in foil (remove any plastic!) in a 300°F oven for 10-15 minutes.

Nutrition

Calories: 234kcal, Carbohydrates: 31g, Protein: 6g, Fat: 10g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Trans Fat: 0.2g, Cholesterol: 15mg, Sodium: 430mg, Potassium: 168mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 187IU, Calcium: 60mg, Iron: 1mg
Course: Quick Breads, Side Dishes
Cuisine: Irish
Keyword: Irish Brown Soda Bread, St. Patrick's Day
Calories: 234kcal
Author: Sara Wells from friend Laura Dane
Cost: $5
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