Perfectly Moist Irish Wheaten Bread

Directions

Ingredients :

1 cup bread flour

2 ¾ cups whole wheat flour

1 ¼ teaspoons salt

1 ¼ teaspoons baking soda

2 teaspoons white sugar

¼ cup margarine

2 cups buttermilk

¼ cup vegetable oil

1 tablespoon buttermilk

1 teaspoon white sugar

Methods :

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Prepare a shallow baking pan with cooking spray.

Sift together the bread flour, whole wheat flour, salt, baking soda, and 2 teaspoons sugar in a bowl. Cut the margarine into the flour mixture until pieces are nearly indistinguishable. Make a well in the center of the mixture and pour in the oil and buttermilk. Stir with a spatula until dry mixture is completely moistened. Move the dough to a lightly-floured surface. Lightly knead the dough for no more than 1 minute. Place the dough into the prepared pan; pat down and around to form a round loaf. Cut a cross into the top of the loaf with your finger. Brush the top with 1 tablespoon buttermilk; sprinkle 1 teaspoon sugar over the top of the loaf.

Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Reduce heat to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C); rotate pan and bake another 30 minutes.

Allow loaf to cool on a wire rack before slicing.