This crusty-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside Molasses-Oat Soda Bread comes together in minutes with just a handful of staple ingredients. We suggest splurging on a bit of quality salted Irish butter for serving.
Molasses-Oat Soda Bread
Makes 1 (9- to 10-inch) loaf
Ingredients
- 4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
- ½ cup plus 1 tablespoon old-fashioned oats, divided
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1½ cups whole buttermilk
- 2 tablespoons molasses
- Butter, to serve
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°. Spray a 9- to 10-inch cast-iron skillet with cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, ½ cup oats, salt, and baking soda. In a small bowl, whisk together buttermilk and molasses. Make a well in center of dry ingredients. Stir buttermilk mixture into flour mixture with fork just until combined.
- Turn out dough onto a lightly floured surface, and gently knead until a stiff dough forms. Shape into a circle, and place in prepared pan. Using a sharp knife, cut a deep cross into top of dough. Sprinkle with remaining 1 tablespoon oats.
- Bake for 30 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350°. Bake until golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes more, covering with foil to prevent excess browning if needed. Let cool in pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes; serve warm with butter.
