Makes 1 large loaf
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups white flour
- 1 ½ cups whole wheat flour
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 4 tbsp cold butter (¼ cup), diced
- 2 tbsp caraway seeds, optional
- 1 cup raisins, optional
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 egg
Instructions
Set a rack in the middle level of the oven and preheat to 400°F.
In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add the butter. Using your fingers, squeeze or rub the butter cubes into the dry ingredients until you have a breadcrumb-like mixture. If using the caraway seeds and raisins, stir them in now.
In a separate small bowl, whisk together the buttermilk and egg, then gently mix into the dry mixture with a rubber spatula.
Turn the dough out onto a floured work surface and fold it over on itself several times, shaping it into a round loaf. Transfer the loaf to a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil and cut a cross in the top of the dough.
Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, then reduce the heat to 350°F. Continue to cook for 15 to 20 minutes more until the loaf is well-colored and a toothpick plunged into the center emerges clean. Cool the soda bread on a rack and serve with butter alongside your favorite stew.