Mrs. O'Callaghan's Soda Bread

A hearty Irish soda bread made with a blend of all-purpose and whole wheat flours, sweetened with brown sugar and made tender with buttermilk. This traditional recipe yields a rustic loaf with a signature X scored on top.

12 servings
55 min

Ingredients

  • 1 spray Nonstick vegetable oil spray
  • 3 cups all purpose flour
  • 3 cups whole wheat flour
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ cup margarine
  • 2 cups buttermilk

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Preheat oven to 425°F. Spray heavy baking sheet with nonstick spray. Whisk both flours, sugar, and baking soda in medium bowl to blend. Add margarine and cut in until margarine is reduced to pea-size pieces. Add buttermilk; stir until shaggy dough forms. Turn dough out onto lightly floured work surface. Knead until dough comes together, about 10 turns. Shape dough into 7-inch round. Place dough on prepared baking sheet. Cut large X, 1/2 inch deep, in top of dough.

    15 min

  2. 2.

    Bake bread until deep brown and bottom sounds hollow when firmly tapped, about 40 minutes. Transfer bread to rack and cool completely.

    40 min

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