Irish soda bread

I have been enjoying baking bread at home lately. Being St Patrick's Day, I thought it was appropriate to try making Irish soda bread today. The reaction that occurs between the buttermilk and baking soda means that you do not need to proof this recipe like yeast-based bread, so it takes much less time to prepare. The bread is a lovely, hearty texture that would go well with ... pretty much anything!

This video tutorial of the recipe was really helpful to watch.

Irish soda bread

Ingredients

• 500 g high grade flour
• 50 g sugar
• 5 g baking soda
• 10 g baking powder
• 3 g salt
• 115 g butter, softened
• 235 ml buttermilk
• 1 egg
• 55 g butter, melted
• 60 ml buttermilk (additional)

Method

1. Preheat oven to 190°C. Lightly grease a large baking tray or cover with baking paper.
2. In a large bowl, mix together flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt and butter. Stir in 1 cup of buttermilk and egg.
3. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead lightly. Form dough into a round shape and place on prepared baking tray.
4. In a small bowl, combine melted butter with additional buttermilk. Brush loaf with this mixture. Use a sharp knife to cut an 'X' into the top of the loaf.
5. Bake in preheated oven for 45 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean. Continue to brush the loaf with the butter mixture while it bakes.

Irish soda bread