Irish Brown Soda Bread

A golden delicious crust!

Moist inside with flecks of golden raisin and rosemary!

I love Irish soda bread!  The little extras in this loaf make it unique and really special.  Instead of the usual, slathered with butter and jam, try this with some good cheese and ham!

As Always, 

ENJOY!

INGREDIENTS

1 cup cake flour

2 cups all-purpose flour

½ cup whole wheat flour

½ cup wheat germ

2 tablespoons dark brown sugar

2 teaspoons baking soda

1½ teaspoons salt

1 tablespoon chopped rosemary, plus 1 tablespoon for garnish

1⅔ cups buttermilk

1 cup golden raisins

2 tablespoons melted butter

Butter and jam, for serving

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 400°. Lightly grease a 9-inch cast-iron skillet.

2. In a large bowl, combine the flours, wheat germ, sugar, baking soda, salt and chopped rosemary.

3. Create a well in the middle of the dry ingredients and pour in the buttermilk. Stir with a wooden spoon until just combined, then mix the golden raisins into the dough. Use your hands to lightly knead the dough until a ball shape forms, making sure not to over mix, as this will toughen the bread.

4. Place the ball of dough into the prepared skillet. Use a knife to score the top, cutting about a third of the way through the dough in an X formation. Brush the top of the loaf with the melted butter and sprinkle the remaining tablespoon of rosemary on top. Bake the bread until the crust is golden and the loaf is hollow when tapped, about 40 minutes.

5. Allow the bread to cool completely, then slice and serve with butter and jam.

Recipe Courtesy of Tasting Table