Whole Wheat Soda Bread Currants (Print version)
Rustic loaf blending whole wheat flour and sweet currants for a wholesome, flavorful treat.
# Ingredient List:
→ Dry Ingredients
01 - 2 cups whole wheat flour
02 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
03 - 1 teaspoon baking soda
04 - 1 teaspoon salt
05 - 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
→ Add-ins
06 - 1 cup dried currants
→ Wet Ingredients
07 - 1 3/4 cups buttermilk
08 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
# How To Make It:
01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together the whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and sugar until well blended.
03 - Stir in the currants until evenly distributed throughout the flour mixture.
04 - Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Pour in the buttermilk and melted butter. Mix gently with a wooden spoon or hands until a soft, sticky dough forms—avoid overmixing.
05 - Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Shape into a round loaf approximately 7 inches in diameter.
06 - Transfer the loaf to the prepared baking sheet. Use a sharp knife to cut a deep X across the top, about 1/2 inch deep, to ensure even baking.
07 - Bake for 35 to 40 minutes until the loaf is golden brown and produces a hollow sound when tapped on the bottom.
08 - Cool on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes before slicing to allow the crumb to set properly.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The combination of nutty whole wheat and sweet currants creates this perfect balance that feels indulgent yet wholesome
- It's practically foolproof—seriously, if you can stir ingredients together, you can make this bread successfully
02 -
- The dough will be sticky and shaggy—this is exactly right and trying to make it smooth will ruin the texture
- That hollow sound when you tap the bottom is your doneness indicator—underbaked soda bread doughy in the center
03 -
- Use room temperature buttermilk if possible—cold ingredients can slightly slow the reaction
- If you don't have buttermilk, mix regular milk with a tablespoon of vinegar and let it sit for 5 minutes