Name: Downey's Soda Bread
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 2 1/2 hr (includes cooling)
Yield: Makes 3 (16-inch-long) loaves
Ingredients: 5 cups whole-wheat flour (preferably stone-ground); 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour plus additional for dusting; 1/3 cup packed dark brown sugar; 2 teaspoons baking soda; 2 teaspoons salt; 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened and cut into pieces; 2 1/4 cups well-shaken buttermilk at room temperature; 2 large eggs at room temperature, lightly beaten; Accompaniments: crème fraîche; jam

Baguette-like loaves make this Irish classic easy to slice, providing perfectly sized portions.

Cooks' note:

Soda bread is best the day it is made, but loaves can be tightly wrapped in 2 layers of foil and frozen 1 month. Refresh, wrapped in foil, in a 325°F oven until heated through, about 20 minutes.

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