Four Provinces Brown Soda Bread

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon baking soda 
• 2 teaspoons butter melted
• 1.5 cups buttermilk 
• 1 tablespoon cream of tartar 
• 1  eggs 
• 1 cup flour all-purpose
• 3 tablespoons blackstrap molasses 
• 2 tablespoons wheat bran 
• 3 cups flour whole wheat

Equipment

• bowl
• baking sheet
• oven
• knife
• whisk

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease two baking sheets.
2. Whisk together the egg, buttermilk, and molasses in a bowl until evenly blended; set aside. Stir together the whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, bran, cream of tartar, and baking soda in a separate large bowl, and make a well in the center.
3. Pour the buttermilk mixture into the well, and stir until a soft dough forms. Stir in the golden raisins, then turn the dough out onto a well floured work surface, and knead 8 to 10 times before dividing into two round balls.
4. Place the balls on the baking sheets and use a sharp knife to cut a 1/2 inch deep X into the tops of the dough balls.
5. Brush with melted butter.
6. Place the loaves into the preheated oven, and reduce the temperature to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
7. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until golden brown. Wrap the loaves in light cotton towels for 10 minutes after they are removed from the oven.