Entrée: Ireland – Traditional Irish Soda Bread

Serving Size: 8

Approximate Time

Prep 10 min

Cook 40 min

Additional 15 min

Total 1 hr 5 min

Ingredients

4 cups (480 g) all-purpose flour
1 tsp (5 g) baking soda
1 tsp (6 g) salt
1 3 / 4 cups (420 ml) buttermilk

Instructions

1. **Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet:**
   Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

2. **Mix Dry Ingredients:**
   In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt until well-combined.

3. **Incorporate Buttermilk:**
   Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the buttermilk. Using a wooden spoon or your hands, gently bring the mixture together until a sticky dough forms. Be careful not to overwork the dough.

4. **Shape the Dough:**
   Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Gently shape it into a round loaf, about 1.5 inches thick. Handle the dough as little as possible to keep it tender.

5. **Score the Loaf:**
   Transfer the dough to the prepared baking sheet. Using a sharp knife, score a deep cross (about 1/4 inch deep) into the top of the loaf. This traditional scoring allows the bread to expand while baking.

6. **Bake:**
   Place the loaf in the preheated oven and bake for 35-45 minutes until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.

7. **Cool and Serve:**
   Remove the bread from the oven and allow it to cool on a wire rack for at least 15 minutes before slicing. Serve warm or at room temperature, spread with butter or jam for a delightful treat.

Enjoy your homemade Traditional Irish Soda Bread!