Mrs. O'Callaghan's Soda Bread

Name: Mrs. O'Callaghan's Soda Bread
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Yield: 1 loaf
Ingredients: nonstick vegetable oil cooking spray; 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour; 1/2 cup packed brown sugar; 2 teaspoons baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 cup chilled margarine (or butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes. 1/2 stick); 2 cups buttermilk (add more as and if needed); 1/4 cup raisins; 1/4 cup caraway seed

Submitted by Annacia

"By Mary O'Callaghan. She makes this at: Ballinalacken Castle Country House & Restaurant in Ireland. I've listed the times given in the recipe but please watch and use your own best judgement as they seem over long to me."

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photo by Baby Kato

Ready In:: 1hr 15mins
Ingredients:: 10
Yields:: 1 loaf

ingredients

nonstick vegetable oil cooking spray
2 ¹⁄₂ cups all-purpose flour
2 ¹⁄₂ cups whole wheat flour
¹⁄₂ cup packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons baking soda
¹⁄₂ teaspoon salt
¹⁄₄ cup chilled margarine (or butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes. 1/2 stick)
2 cups buttermilk (add more as and if needed)
OPTIONS
¹⁄₄ cup raisins
¹⁄₄ cup caraway seed

directions

Preheat oven to 425°F.
Spray heavy baking sheet with nonstick spray.
Whisk both flours, sugar, and baking soda and either option you might be using in medium bowl to blend.
Add margarine and cut in until margarine is reduced to pea-size pieces and add buttermilk; stir until shaggy dough forms.
Turn dough out onto lightly floured work surface and knead until dough comes together, about 10 turns.
Shape dough into 7 to 9-inch round (the round should be about 1 inch high).
Place dough on prepared baking sheet.
Cut large X, 1/2 inch deep, in top of dough.
Bake bread in center of oven for 15 min at 425 F then turn it down to 375 F for 40-45 minutes until deep brown and bottom sounds hollow when firmly tapped (a bamboo skewer inserted into the center of the bread should emerge clean without any stickiness or moistness), about 55-60 minutes total oven time.
Transfer bread to rack and cool completely.
Enjoy it's dense, hearty texture.
TIP:
For this kind of dough, the less you handle and work it the better.

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Reviews

This was a lovely soda bread. Quick and easy to make, great flavor, with a beautiful crumb. I made 1/2 the recipe, using all white flour. I love raisins and caraway seeds together so used both options in this lovely treat. I cooked the bread at 425 for 20 minutes and then at the lower heat for 20 minutes, resulting in a perfectly cooked bread. Thanks for sharing this special treat Annacia. Made for Spring Pac 2014.

Baby Kato