Irish soda bread, traditional and not (Jim Coleman and Candace Hagan, 3/12/08, PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS)

Traditional brown soda bread [...]

2 cups whole-wheat flour

2 cups white pastry or cake flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon coarse salt

2 tablespoons butter

1 3/4 cups buttermilk

1. Heat oven to 425 degrees. Combine the flours, baking soda and salt in a large bowl; cut in the butter until the flour is crumbly. Add the buttermilk, a little at a time, to form a sticky dough.

2. Place dough on floured surface; lightly knead into a large ball. Shape into a round, flat shape in a buttered, floured cake pan. Cut an "X" in the top of the dough. Cover the pan with foil; bake 30 minutes. Remove foil; bake until lightly browned, about 15 minutes.

3. Cover the bread with a tea towel; lightly sprinkle water on the towel. Let cool.