irish soda bread

in honor of st. patrick's day this week, here is my recipe for irish soda bread.  it is great and it makes 2 terrific loaves.

4 cups whole-wheat flour

1/3 cup sugar

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon kosher salt

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, diced, plus additional for the baking sheet

2 large eggs

1 ½ cups buttermilk

1.    preheat oven to 400.  lightly butter an 11 X 17” baking sheet.

2.    in a large bowl, stir together the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt.  work in the butter with a pastry cutter until the mix resembles coarse crumbs.

3.    break the eggs into a measuring cup and whisk with a fork.  add the buttermilk to the eggs; to reach 2 cups of liquid.  pour the buttermilk mixture into the flour mixture and stir until completely incorporated.

4.    turn out the dough onto a lightly floured work surface, sprinkle with a little flour and knead with your hands for 3 minutes.

5.    divide the dough into 3 equal parts and form each part into a ball.  using a small, sharp knife, cut an X across the top of each ball and transfer the balls to the prepared baking sheet.

6.    bake for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.