Irish Soda Bread

• 2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 1/4 cups King Arthur, organic unbleached all purpose flour
• 3 Tbsp granulated sugar
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 2/3 cup currants or raisins
• 4 Tbsp cold butter, cut into 8 pieces
• 1 1/3 cups buttermilk
• 1 large egg
• 2 Tbsp melted butter, optional

Prehat oven to 400. Lightly grease 8' or 9' round cake pan.

In medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together flours, sugar, baking soda, and salt.

Using mixer or pastry blender of your fingers work butter into dry ingredients until evenly distributed and no large chunks remain. Toss currants or raisins with dry ingredients.

In small bowl or measuring cup whisk egg into buttermilk. Pour mixture into dry ingredients and mix to combine. Dough will be dry, if it won't hold together add another Tbsp or two of buttermilk. Knead dough a couple of times to make sure it holds together, then shape into ball. flatten slightly and place in greased cake pan. cut a deep 1/2" cross in the loaf.

Place pan in oven for 45-55 minutes, until golden brown and cake tester or toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove from oven and brush with melted butter.

Store for 2 days, well wrapped at room temperatue. Freeze for longer storage.