Brown Irish Soda Bread with Egg and Honey

This version of Irish soda bread combines the hearty flavor of wholemeal flour with the richness of an egg and the natural sweetness of honey. Perfect for breakfast, tea time, or alongside your favorite meal. Let's get started!

Ingredients:

• 250g of wholemeal flour

• 250g of plain flour

• 1 teaspoon of baking soda

• 1 teaspoon of salt

• 1 egg

• 400ml of buttermilk

• 2 tablespoons of honey

Instructions:

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare

1. Preheat your oven: Set your oven to 200°C (392°F) and prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper or lightly flouring it.

Step 2: Mixing the Dry Ingredients

1. Combine flours, baking soda, and salt: In a large bowl, whisk together the wholemeal flour, plain flour, baking soda, and salt until they are evenly distributed.

Step 3: Adding the Wet Ingredients

1. Beat the egg and mix with buttermilk: In a separate bowl, lightly beat the egg and then mix it with the buttermilk and honey.

2. Make a well in the center: Create a small well in the middle of the dry ingredients.

3. Pour in the buttermilk mixture: Gradually add the buttermilk mixture into the well, mixing it into the dry ingredients with your hand or a wooden spoon. Mix until a dough forms, but be careful not to overwork it.

Step 4: Shaping the Dough

1. Turn out the dough: Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead it just enough to bring it together.

2. Shape into a round loaf: Form the dough into a round shape, flattening it slightly.

3. Score the top: Using a sharp knife, make a deep cross on the top of the loaf. This traditional step allows the bread to bake evenly.

Step 5: Baking the Bread

1. Transfer to baking sheet: Place the shaped dough onto your prepared baking sheet.

2. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for about 30-35 minutes or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.

Step 6: Cooling

1. Cool on a wire rack: Once baked, remove the bread from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack. This allows the bread to set and develop its flavor.

Tips and Tricks:

• Using Wholemeal Flour: This recipe uses a mix of wholemeal and plain flour for a balanced texture. You can adjust the ratio according to your preference.

• Adding Seeds or Dried Fruit: Enhance the flavor and texture by mixing in seeds, nuts, or dried fruit like raisins or currants.

• Serving Suggestions: Serve your soda bread warm with a spread of butter, jam, or honey. It’s also excellent for making toast or sandwiches.

Enjoy your homemade brown Irish soda bread with egg and honey. The richness and sweetness will make it a favorite in no time.

Happy baking! 🍞

Got questions or need more tips? Feel free to ask!