Irish Soda Bread

By á-58

Ingredients

• For bread base:
• 3 cups plus 1 tsp. unbleached white flour
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. Fine Pink Himalayan Sea Salt
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cut into pieces
• 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
• Sweet flavoring option:
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1 tsp. Anise Seeds
• Savory flavoring option:
• 1/2 cup currants
• 1 tsp. Dutch Caraway Seeds
• 1 tsp. Organic Rosemary
• 1 tsp. Dried Parsley

Details

Servings 1
Preparation time 45mins
Cooking time 90mins

Preparation

Step 1

In a small bowl, combine 3 cups flour, baking soda, sugar and salt, sift into a large bowl. With pastry blender or using two knives, cut butter into dry mixture until it resembles a coarse meal. Stir in your choice of the flavoring ingredients. Pour in buttermilk and mix with fork until dough comes together. Knead 30 seconds in bowl. Turn dough out onto a heavily floured surface (dough will be very sticky) and knead another minute. Do not over knead the dough. Shape into a round loaf and place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Sprinkle remaining 1 tsp. flour over top of loaf. Cut a large “X” across the top of loaf approximately 1 inch deep x 4 inches long. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 to 50 min., until golden brown. Let cool before slicing.