Perfectly Moist Irish Wheaten Bread

Recipe View Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease a shallow baking pan with cooking spray. (5 minutes)

Recipe View In a large bowl, sift together whole wheat flour, bread flour, 2 teaspoons sugar, salt, and baking soda. (5 minutes)

Recipe View Cut in the cold margarine using a pastry blender or your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. (5 minutes)

Recipe View Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Pour in 2 cups buttermilk and vegetable oil. Stir with a spatula until just combined and the dry ingredients are moistened. Do not overmix. (3 minutes)

Recipe View Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead for no more than 1 minute. Shape the dough into a round loaf and place it in the prepared pan. (5 minutes)

Recipe View Pat the dough down to fill the pan evenly. With a sharp knife or your finger, cut a deep cross in the top of the loaf. (2 minutes)

Recipe View Brush the top of the loaf with 1 tablespoon of buttermilk, then sprinkle with the remaining 1 teaspoon of sugar. (1 minute)

Recipe View Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Then, reduce the oven temperature to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C), rotate the pan, and bake for another 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. (60 minutes)

Recipe View Remove from the oven and let cool completely on a wire rack before slicing and serving. (60 minutes)