Irish Soda Bread with Dates, Ginger and Orange

One 8” round loaf

• 6 cups all-purpose flour

• 4 Tbsp granulated sugar

• 2 tsp baking soda

• 2 tsp fine sea salt

• 2 cups dates, cut into 1/4” rounds with scissors

• Zest and juice of one orange

• 2 Tbsp freshly grated ginger

• 2 ½ cups buttermilk

• 4 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted

1)     Preheat your oven to 425 degrees. Cut a 12” circle of parchment paper and fit it into an 8” springform pan.

2)     In a small bowl, cut the dates into ¼” rounds with kitchen scissors and toss together with the zest and juice of one orange and the freshly grated ginger.  The dates will absorb the juice and become even more delicious.

3)     In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda and salt. Fold in the fruit mixture.

4)     Whisk together the melted butter and buttermilk and pour over the dry mixture. Stir until the mixture is uniformly moistened and then gather together into a ball with your hands. Make sure to press out any air bubble.  Press the dough ball into the parchment-lined springform pan.

5)     Sift one additional Tbsp flour over the dough then score a shallow “X” on the top of the dough with a serrated knife.

6)     Bake the loaf for 45-50 minutes and then let cool on a wire rack ten minutes before releasing the springform removing the loaf.  Let the loaf cool on the wire rack for another 20 minutes before slicing.