Soda Bread With Dark Chocolate and Candied Orange Peel

Ingredients

• 3 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 6 tablespoons chilled unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, cut into 1/3-inch pieces (not unsweetened) or semisweet chocolate, cut into 1/3-inch pieces
• 6 ounces candied orange peel, diced
• 1 1/4 cups buttermilk
• 1 large egg

Directions

1. 1

   Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 350°F

2. 2

   Line rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper; butter parchment.

3. 3

   Whisk first 5 ingredients in large bowl to blend.

4. 4

   Add butter; rub in with fingertips until mixture resembles coarse meal.

5. 5

   Stir in chocolate and orange peel.

6. 6

   Whisk buttermilk and egg in medium bowl to blend; add to dry ingredients. Stir just until incorporated.

7. 7

   Turn dough out onto floured work surface and knead gently just until dough comes together, about 5 turns.

8. 8

   Form dough into 6 1/2-inch-diameter round, about 2 to 2 1/2 inches high. Transfer to prepared baking sheet. Using sharp knife, cut 1-inch-deep, 3-inch-long slits in top of bread, forming sunburst pattern.

9. 9

   Bake bread until well browned and very firm when pressed and tester inserted into center comes out clean, turning baking sheet halfway through baking, about 1 hour 10 minutes total.

10. 10

    Transfer bread to rack and cool completely, at least 3 hours. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Wrap in foil and store at room temperature.).