Spelt Irish Soda Bread
We’ve taken our traditional recipe for Irish soda bread and lightened it up by swapping some of the AP flour with spelt flour, and using yogourt instead of buttermilk.
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup (40 g) large spelt flakes or oats
- 2 cups (300 g) spelt flour
- 1 1/2 cups (225 g) unbleached all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 cup (55 g) cold unsalted butter, diced
- 1 cup (250 ml) plain 2% yogurt
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) milk, plus more for brushing
Instructions
- With the rack in the middle position, preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Butter a 9-inch (23 cm) pie dish and sprinkle the bottom with 2 tbsp of the spelt flakes.
- In a bowl, combine both flours, the brown sugar, baking powder, salt and baking soda. Add the butter and rub into the flour with your fingertips until it forms pea-sized pieces. Make a well at the centre. Pour in the yogurt and milk. Mix just until the dry ingredients are moistened.
- Turn the dough out onto a work surface. With your hands, knead the dough until smooth. Shape into a bread about 9 inches (23 cm) in diameter and place in the prepared pie dish. With the tip of a knife, cut a cross about ½ inch (1 cm) deep over the entire surface of the bread. Brush all over with milk and sprinkle with the remaining spelt flakes.
- Bake for 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the centre of the bread comes out clean. Unmould. Let sit for 15 minutes on a wire rack before slicing. Spread with butter and serve alongside soup or stew.
We’ve taken our traditional recipe for Irish soda bread and lightened it up by swapping some of the AP flour with spelt flour, and using yogourt instead of buttermilk.