Soda Breads with Dates & Pecans

Soda Breads with Dates & Pecans

2 cups all purpose flour

1 cup whole wheat flour

1/2 cup sugar

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

6 tablespoons (3 oz) butter, unsalted

4 oz. dates, chopped

1 cup pecans, chopped and toasted

1 1/4 cup buttermilk, reduced fat

1 egg

Preheat the oven to 400F. In a large mixing bowl, mix together all purpose flour, whole wheat flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt. Cut butter into small pieces (about 1/4 inch pieces) and, using finger, blend butter into flour mixture. Add dates and pecans and mix well. In a separate medium bowl, whisk buttermilk and egg. Slowly add wet mixture to flour mixture and mix well. Lightly flour surface and knead dough until it's fully incorporated and even. Flatten dough and divide into 10 chunks. Divide each of those chunks in half, making 20 chunks. Shape each chunk into a round ball and then flatten. Place breads onto 2 lightly floured baking sheets, 10 per sheet. Carve a cross into the top of each bread. Bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown. Enjoy!

Makes 20 mini breads (or 10 larger-size mini breads).