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Irish Soda Bread

My challenge: to create a vegan version of soda bread with all the heart and the flavor of an authentic Irish loaf, just using plants.
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Ingredients
  

  • 1-1/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour work in more if necessary
  • 1 cup whole wheat flour the grainier the better
  • 1/2 cup oatmeal not instant
  • 1/4 cup toasted wheat germ
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 4 tablespoon 1/2 stick vegan butter, softened
  • 1-1/3 cups unsweetened vegan plain yogurt

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
  • Lightly oil a 9″ pie pan or cast iron skillet.
  • Sift together dry ingredients. Work in softened vegan butter until just combined and the mixture has the texture of coarse crumbs. Using a wooden spoon or your hand, mix in vegan yogurt. Knead just so it all comes together, no more than a minute. Add another handful of flour if dough is sticky. Dough will be thick.
  • Gently press dough into a round and place in prepared pan or skillet. Resist urge to smooth the top. Baking turns that craggy top into a delectable crust. Besides, Irish soda bread is rustic and not meant to be prettified. Now, be bold, and slash a cross into the top. This ensures even baking.
  • Bake for 30 minutes, until top is brown and crusty and loaf sounds hollow when tapped. Allow to cool slightly, then slice thin.