Farm House Irish Soda Bread with Clabber

By mitzzy

Clabber is an old fashioned word for buttermilk and buttermilk is the dairy liquid of choice in traditional soda bread. This recipe makes a majestic, tasty soda bread.

Ingredients

• 3 cups whole-wheat flour
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 cup very cold, unsalted butter, diced
• 2 cups buttermilk
• 1 cup dark raisins, plumped and dried
• Finishing Touches
• Bran or fine oatmeal, for dusting

Details

Servings 1
Preparation time 10mins
Cooking time 80mins

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 425 F. Stack two baking sheets together and line the top one with parchment paper.

In a large food processor briefly blend the flours, sugar, baking soda, and salt. Add in the butter and pulse until the mixture is grainy.

Remove to a large mixing bowl and make a well in the center. Stir in the buttermilk with a fork, gathering dough together. When almost mixed fold in the raisins. Dough will be still somewhat ragged.

Turn out onto a lightly floured work surface and knead gently to make a firm dough, using a little additional flour on your board to help firm up if the dough is too wet. Let rest 5 minutes and then shape dough into a large round and place on baking sheet. Make a cross with a knife, and dust with bran or fine oatmeal.

Bake until done and the soda bread is nicely browned all over, about 40-45 minutes.

Makes 1 large bread