Irish Coffee Soda Bread
- 2 cups all-purpose flour plus more for dusting
- 2 cups whole-wheat flour
- 1 ⁄4 cup packed dark brown sugar
- 1 1 ⁄2 tsp. Kosher salt
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- 4 tbsp. chilled unsalted butter cut into 1/2-inch cubes
- 1 1 ⁄2 cups buttermilk
- 1 ⁄4 cup Irish whiskey
- 3 tbsp. instant espresso powder
- 1 large egg lightly beaten
1. Preheat the oven to 375° and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, add the flours, brown sugar, salt, and baking soda; whisk briefly to combine. Using a pastry cutter, cut the butter into the dry ingredients until only pea-sized pieces remain.
3. In a separate medium bowl, whisk the buttermilk, whiskey, espresso powder, and egg until smooth. Pour the buttermilk mixture into the dry ingredients and, using a rubber spatula, fold together until a shaggy dough begins to form.
4. Scrape the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface, then gather any crumbs and knead the dough a few times times to bring it together into a loosely formed ball.
5. Transfer the loaf to the prepared baking sheet and, using a serrated knife, cut a cross, about ½ inch deep and 6 , into the top.
6. Bake for 40 minutes at 375°, then lower the heat to 350° and continue baking until the bread is puffed and evenly browned on the outside, 20-25 minutes more.
Let cool completely before slicing or tearing.