Warm, hearty, delicious Irish Soda Bread
Irish Soda Bread
4 C all-purpose flour ½ C butter
4 T white sugar 1 C buttermilk
1 t baking soda 1 egg
1 T baking powder ¼ C butter, melted
½ t salt ¼ C buttermilk
Preheat oven to 190°C (375°F). Lightly grease a large baking sheet.
In a large bowl, mix the flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt and butter. Stir in 1 C of buttermilk and the egg. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead just a bit. Form the dough into a round and place it on the prepared baking sheet.
In a small bowl, combine the melted butter with ¼ C of buttermilk and brush it onto the loaf. Use a sharp knife to cut an ‘X” into the top of the loaf.
Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the loaf comes out clean. Continue brushing the loaf with the butter mixture from time to time during the baking.
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Irish bakers will tell you that this bread should be made with a soft flour, like cake or pastry flour and needs only minimal mixing and little or no kneading. You can also replace the buttermilk with live yoghurt. As my “Irish to the bone” Grandmother used to say, “it’s fit to eat!” Go to the comment section and tell me what you think of this ancient and wonderful recipe.
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