Brown Soda Bread

Directions

1. 1
   Preheat oven to 425° F and position a rack in the middle. Grease a baking sheet, or line with parchment paper.
2. 2
   In a large mixing bowl, whisk together whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, 3 tbsp rolled oats, caraway seeds, baking soda, and salt. Add butter and use a pastry cutter, a pair of forks, or your fingertips to mix the butter into the dry ingredients until it's completely incorporated and crumbly. Add buttermilk and mix just until a sticky dough comes together-if necessary, knead the last of the flour in with your hands.
3. 3
   Turn the dough out onto the baking sheet, and use lightly damp hands to form it into a round. Use a sharp knife to cut an X in the top of the loaf. Sprinkle the remaining 1 tbsp rolled oats over the top of the loaf, and lightly press the oats into the dough. Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the bread is golden on top and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Remove from the oven and let cool for 10-15 minutes before transferring to a cutting board.
4. 4
   Slice the bread and serve warm; once it's cooled, toast slices before serving. Leftover bread can be wrapped in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil, and frozen for up to 3 months. You can toast slices of this bread straight from the freezer!