Whole Wheat Soda Bread

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (I use unbleached)
• 1 3/4 cups whole wheat flour
• 1/3 cup wheat germ
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 tablespoons butter, softened
• 1 egg
• 1 1/2 cups buttermilk

Directions

1. 1

   Heat oven to 450°F.

2. 2

   In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, whole wheat flour, wheat germ, salt and baking soda.

3. 3

   Using your fingertips, work the softened butter into the flour mixture.

4. 4

   In a small bowl, whisk the egg.

5. 5

   Add the buttermilk to the egg; mix well.

6. 6

   Make a well in the flour and add most of the buttermilk/egg mixture - reserving about 1/4 cup.

7. 7

   Use your hands to combine the dry and wet ingredients until it forms a loose dough.

8. 8

   If the dough will not come together, add some or all of the remaining buttermilk/egg mixture.

9. 9

   On a well-floured surface, turn out the dough.

10. 10

    Sprinkle the dough with flour and shape it into a 7-8 inch circle.

11. 11

    Flatten it slightly with the tips of your fingers.

12. 12

    Place the loaf on a baking sheet (I line mine with parchment paper).

13. 13

    Score (criss-cross) the top of the loaf with a bread knife, cutting about 1/4 inch deep, and making three cuts in one direction and 3 more cuts crossing them.

14. 14

    Bake for 15 minutes at 450°F.

15. 15

    Reduce the heat to 400 F and continue baking another 20 minutes.

16. 16

    If you have an instant read thermometer, insert it halfway into the bottom of the loaf.

17. 17

    The thermometer should read 190/195 F when baked.

18. 18

    Let cool for 15 minutes; then serve.