brown soda bread

Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat oven to 400 degrees. Line rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.

In large bowl, whisk all-­purpose flour, whole-wheat flour, wheat germ, sugar, salt, baking powder, and baking soda until combined.

In liquid measuring cup, use fork to stir buttermilk and melted butter until butter forms small clumps.

Add buttermilk mixture to bowl with flour mixture. Use rubber spatula to stir until dough comes together.

Sprinkle clean counter lightly with extra flour. Transfer dough to counter and use your floured hands to knead until smooth ball forms, about 30 seconds.

Pat and shape dough into 7-inch circle. Use paring knife to cut cross into top of loaf.

Transfer loaf to baking sheet. Place baking sheet in oven and bake until skewer inserted in center of bread comes out clean, 45 to 50 minutes.

Use oven mitts to remove baking sheet from oven (ask an adult for help) and place on cooling rack. Let bread cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes. Use spatula to transfer bread to cooling rack. Let cool for 1 to 2 hours. Slice (ask an adult for help) and serve.