Hearty Whole-Wheat Irish Soda Bread

1. Preheat Oven

Preheat your oven to 400°F.

2. Mix Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1.5 cups of whole-wheat flour, 0.5 cups of toasted wheat germ, 3 tablespoons of granulated sugar, 1.5 teaspoons of salt, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, and 1 teaspoon of baking soda.

3. Mix Wet Ingredients

In a 2-cup liquid measuring cup, combine 1.75 cups of buttermilk with 2 tablespoons of melted unsalted butter.

4. Combine Ingredients

Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients and stir with a rubber spatula just until the dough comes together.

5. Knead Dough

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured counter and knead it gently about 8 times until it forms a cohesive mass.

6. Shape Dough

Pat the dough into a 7-inch round shape and place it on a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet.

7. Score Dough

Using a sharp serrated knife, score a cross on the top of the dough, about 0.25 inch deep and 5 inches long.

8. Bake Bread

Place the baking sheet on the lower-middle rack of your preheated oven and bake the bread for 45 to 50 minutes, rotating the sheet halfway through.

9. Check Bread

You'll know the bread is done when a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean, and the loaf registers 195°F.

10. Brush with Butter

Once baked, remove the bread from the oven and immediately brush it with 1 tablespoon of melted unsalted butter.

11. Cool Bread

Transfer the bread to a wire rack and let it cool for at least 1 hour before slicing.