Soda Bread - Traditional

By MJH

This traditional Irish loaf is one of the fastest bread recipes to make.

Ingredients

• 3 1/2cups3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
• 1tsp1 tsp superfine (caster) or granulated sugar
• 1tsp1 tsp baking soda
• 1tsp1 tsp salt
• 1 1/21 1/2 –2 cups buttermilk or soured milk (see cook's note below)

Details

Servings 1
Adapted from dashrecipes.com

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C/Gas mark 8).

Sift the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt into a large bowl.

Make a well in the center and pour in most of the buttermilk, leaving about ¼ cup (50ml) in the measuring cup.

Using one hand with your fingers outstretched like a claw, bring the flour and liquid together, adding more buttermilk, if necessary.

Don’t knead the mixture, or it will become heavy.

The dough should be soft, but not too wet and sticky.

When the dough comes together, turn it onto a floured work surface and bring it together a little more.

Pat the dough into a round about 1½ inches (4cm) thick and cut a deep cross in it.

Place on a baking sheet.

Bake for 15 minutes.

Turn down the heat to 400° (200°C/Gas mark 6) and bake for 30 minutes more.

When done, the loaf will sound slightly hollow when tapped on the bottom and be golden in color. May want to turn it upside down for the last 5 minutes of cooking.

Allow to cool on a wire rack.