Chef John's Irish Soda Bread Recipe

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone baking mat.

Whisk all-purpose flour whole wheat flour oats baking soda baking powder and salt together in a bowl. Cut butter into flour mixture using a pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse meal.

Beat buttermilk egg honey and orange zest together in a bowl. Pour buttermilk mixture currants and raisins into flour mixture; stir with a wooden spoon until a wet sticky dough comes together.

Turn dough out onto a well-floured work surface; press dough together into a soft ball of dough and cut into 2 pieces. Form each half into a smooth round loaf. Transfer to prepared baking sheet and let rest for 15 minutes. Cut a 1/2-inch deep \X\ into the top of each loaf with a serrated knife.

Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown and fragrant about 45 minutes. Transfer loaves to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.