Irish Soda Bread

You can make soda bread in a mixer or just by hand. It very fast and easy to make. If you don't have buttermilk, use regular milk instead and add a teaspoon of cream of tartar.

Ingredients

• 4 1/4 cups white whole wheat flour  
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon fennel seed
• 2 cups buttermilk
• 1 egg 
• 1 cup dried cranberries or raisins
• 1/4 cup walnuts (optional)
• 1/3 stick cold butter, cut into 1 inch dice (optional) or coconut oil 2 tablespoons 

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.

Combine the flour, sugar, baking soda, fennel seed, and salt in the bowl of the mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Add the butter (optional) or coconut oil and mix on low speed until the butter is mixed into the flour.

Lightly mix the buttermilk and egg together in a small bowl. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the buttermilk and egg mixture to the flour mixture. to finish add the raisins and walnuts (optional) and mix.

turn dough out onto floured surface. Knead until dough comes together. Place the loaf on the prepared sheet pan and lightly cut an X into the top of the bread. Bake for 50 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Cool for 10 minutes.