Irish Soda Bread

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

This year, I decided to bake Irish Soda Bread for the first time ever. It came out great as a huge surprise to me. Usually when I attempt to bake it turns into a disaster.

I started by adding all of the dry ingredients into a large mixing bowl.

I used Baleine sea salt (my favorite) as apposed to kosher table salt. Either kind of salt would work well in this recipe.

Next, I added my liquid ingredients.

I kneaded the dough on a lightly floured surface.

I brushed the loaf with a mixture of melted butter and buttermilk and then popped it in the oven for about 50 minutes.

(You can tell I don't bake often ... I had to use a Pyrex because I don't own a cookie sheet.)

Irish Soda Bread!

Ingredients
4 cups all-purpose flour
4 tablespoons white sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup margarine, softened
1 cup buttermilk
1 egg
1/4 cup butter, melted
1/4 cup buttermilk

DirectionsPreheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease a large baking sheet.
In a large bowl, mix together flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt and margarine. Stir in 1 cup of buttermilk and egg. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead slightly. Form dough into a round and place on prepared baking sheet. In a small bowl, combine melted butter with 1/4 cup buttermilk; brush loaf with this mixture. Use a sharp knife to cut an 'X' into the top of the loaf.
Bake in preheated oven for 45 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean, about 30 to 50 minutes. You may continue to brush the loaf with the butter mixture while it bakes.