Chef John’s Irish Soda Bread

Ingredients

• 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/4 cup rolled oats
• 1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/4 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
• 1 3/4 cups buttermilk
• 1 large egg
• 2 tablespoons honey, or more to taste
• 2 teaspoons grated orange zest
• 1 cup dried currants
• 1/3 cup golden raisins

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone baking mat.

Whisk all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, oats, baking soda, baking powder, and salt together in a bowl. Cut butter into flour mixture using a pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse meal.

Beat buttermilk, egg, honey, and orange zest together in a bowl. Pour buttermilk mixture, currants, and raisins into flour mixture; stir with a wooden spoon until a wet, sticky dough comes together.

Turn dough out onto a well-floured work surface; press dough together into a soft ball of dough and cut into 2 pieces. Form each half into a smooth, round loaf. Transfer to prepared baking sheet and let rest for 15 minutes. Cut a 1/2-inch deep “x” into the top of each loaf with a serrated knife.

Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown and fragrant, about 45 minutes. Transfer loaves to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.