Ingredients:

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
  3               cups  Whole wheat flour
                        Preferably stone ground
  1                cup  All-purpose flour -- plus
                        Extra for working dough
  1 1/2      teaspoons  Salt
  1 1/2      teaspoons  Baking soda
  1                cup  Old fashioned rolled oats
  2               cups  Buttermilk
  2        tablespoons  Dark molasses or black
                        Treacle

Preparation:

This version, flavored with old-fashioned rolled oats and dark molasses, is similar to the soda bread served at Ballymaloe House in County Cork, Ireland. Bake the bread early in the day and reheat it just before the guests arrive. Thoroughly combine ww and all-purpose flours, baking soda and salt in large bowl. Stir in oats and make well in center. Combine buttermilk and molasses in separate bowl. Pour mixture into flour well and gradually work into flour with fingers or spoon. Knead dough lightly 3 or 4 times on floured surface and divide in half. Shape into 2 round loaves, each about 5-inch in diameter. With sharp knife, score loaves with cross slash, cutting 1 inch deep. Place loaves on ungreased baking sheet and bake at 425 degrees 15 minutes, then reduce heat and continue to bake 25 to 30 minutes longer or until loaves are brown on top and sound hollow when tapped on bottom. Cool at least 5 minutes on cooling rack. Loaves can be baked several hours ahead and reheated in low oven. Cut into thick or thin wedges. Serve warm or at room tempature.

Nutritional Information:

117 Calories (kcal); 1g Total Fat; (5% calories from fat); 5g Protein; 24g Carbohydrate; 1mg Cholesterol; 351mg Sodium