Christianity Oasis Forum

[freerangeloon]

Irish Soda Bread

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups wheat flour
2 cups white flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
3 Tablespoon white sugar
1/2 cup toasted wheat germ

1 3/4 cup buttermilk (very cold)
2 Tablespoon melted (cooled) butter

Blend dry ingredients in large bowl.
Stir melted butter into buttermilk (may get a bit cloggy)
Mix liquids into dry ingredients with a spatula until it looks like a mess (don't overmix)
Knead on a floured surface about 8 to 10 times (over kneading will make bread tough)
Form into a 7 inch round loaf.
Put loaf on parchment lined baking sheet.
Make a "X" on top of loaf (so it can expand more evenly)
Bake in 400 degree preheated oven for 45 to 50 minutes (internal temp to 195 degrees)
Brush top of loaf with butter (helps to soften it a bit)
Put loaf on rack to cool for an hour. (do not cut before it has cooled as it is still "melding")

I haven't made this recipe yet but it looked so good when I saw it on a cooking show.