Recipe: Fruited Irish Soda Bread (using whole wheat flour and buttermilk)

FRUITED IRISH SODA BREAD

"This traditional coarse-textured bread can be served as a coffee cake or snack with tea or coffee. It's called soda bread because it's leavened with baking soda."

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1 1/4 cups buttermilk
1 cup dried fruit bits
1/4 cup candied orange peel, finely chopped

Heat oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly grease cookie sheet.

In large bowl, combine all purpose flour, whole wheat flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon; mix well. Using fork or pastry blender, cut in margarine until crumbly. Add buttermilk, fruit bits and orange peel; blend well.

On well-floured surface, knead dough gently until no longer sticky, 1 to 2 minutes. Form dough into ball and place on greased cookie sheet. With sharp knife, cut an "X" 1/4 inch deep on top of loaf.

Bake at 375 degrees F for 40 to 45 minutes or until golden brown and toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Immediately remove from pan.

Serve warm or cool.

Makes 1 (16-slice) loaf
Source: The Pillsbury Healthy Baking Book