Irish Soda Loaf Bread

I made a quick whole wheat Irish Soda Loaf Bread in order to replenish my continuous stash of homemade whole wheat bread I keep on hand in the freezer. Generally, Irish Soda Bread is thought of as a round loaf bread, almost like a scone. It is usually a quick-rise bread (which means no yeast is used and no rising or proofing times are needed), with the signature "X" cut in the middle. Often this bread is hearty, so it contains whole wheat flour, and/or oats, bran, and wheat germ. Often raisins or currants are added for more flavor and texture. The real thing that makes it a signature Irish soda bread is the buttermilk in it. Because the bread uses buttermilk, baking soda must be used instead of baking powder in order to react with the acidity of the buttermilk. That is where Irish Soda Bread gets its name. This bread I made is not a traditional Irish Soda bread, because of its shape and preparation method. This bread did not need to be kneaded or shaped, just mixed up and placed in a loaf pan. It is incredibly quick and easy.

Irish Soda Loaf Bread
4 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 Tablespoons granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 1/3 cups buttermilk
1/4 cup cooking oil

Preheat oven to 350◦F. Grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan.In a large bowl, mix the dry ingredients and make a well in the center. Pour the milk and oil into the well, stir until just moistened. Spread into prepared pan and bake for about an hour. Remove from pan and cool.

I used all whole wheat flour and no all-purpose, but I replaced a small portion of the flour with ground flax seed. I also added some pumpkin seeds to the batter for crunch. I made my own buttermilk by placing a little more than two tablespoons of white vinegar in a liquid measuring cup and adding enough milk to make 2 1/3 cups. I let it sit for 5-10 minutes until slightly thickened. This recipe comes from Company's Coming "Holiday Entertaining".

Paré, Jean. "Irish Soda Brown Bread." Recipe. Holiday Entertaining, Edmonton Alberta: Company's Coming Publishing Limited, 1989. 43.