With cooler weather, it's wonderful to have a lunch of soup and homemade bread. While I love yeast breads, I find it so quick and easy to just bake a couple loaves of Irish Soda Bread. Today I paired it with a Butternut Squash Soup and it was lovely. This recipe makes two loaves so it's easy to send a loaf home with company or save for later.
Irish Dark Soda Bread
3 cups all purpose flour
2 cups whole wheat flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 tablespoon baking powder
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 1/4 cups buttermilk (I make my own buttermilk..check in my archives to see how :)
Sift all dry ingredients into a large bowl and mix well. Pour all of the buttermilk into the bowl at once and stir using a wooden spoon just until a soft dough forms. (I use my hands, they are the best tool ever made). Do not try to make dough smooth at this point. Pour the contents of the bowl onto your floured bread board or countertop and knead lightly. Divide in half and shape into two round loaves. Pat down just barely to flatten a bit. Place the loaves onto a large ungreased baking sheet. (I line mine with parchment) Sprinkle just a small bit of flour on the top and cut crosses in the center of the bread to "let the fairies out" so no evil goings on come your way. Allow the loaves to rest for 10 minutes and then bake in a 400 degree oven for 30 minutes or so.
Please note...My oven bakes them quickly...some may take as long as 45 minutes. They are done when they are browned and when you tap on them it sounds hollow.
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