Whole Wheat Cheddar Soda Bread recipe

Whole wheat cheddar soda bread. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

It's a few days for St. Patrick's Day, and you may be inclined to produce a loaf of Irish soda bread, the raisin-studded, caraway-scented quick bread. I like a loaf of soda bread each year, too, but I try to find time for this soda bread as well. It uses whole wheat to balance out the white flour and Cheddar cheese for heartiness. You would expect this combination in a yeast bread, but the recipe uses baking soda and buttermilk for the leavening. A slice of this bread makes stellar toast.

Whole Wheat Cheddar Soda Bread

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups whole wheat flour (I used King Arthur Organic Whole Wheat)
1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
1 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
2 cups buttermilk (use whole buttermilk, if you can find it)
Milk or cream to brush on top of loaves

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly grease a baking sheet with vegetable oil.

2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flours, oats, baking soda and salt. Add the Cheddar cheese and mix thoroughly (hands are good for this).

3. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Pour in the buttermilk and stir with a fork until incorporated, but just. Using your hands, pull the mixture into a dough and lightly knead a few times.

4. Pat the dough into two rounds, place on baking sheet and, using a knife, cut an X into the top. Brush the tops of the rounds with milk or cream or whatever dairy is appropriate and handy.

5. Bake at 375 for 35 to 45 minutes, or until browned. You may need to use a toothpick to determine if the interior is wet. If so, bake for a few more minutes, until toothpick comes out dry. Cool on rack.

Whole wheat Cheddar soda bread. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books