by MIJ

Created on: March 04, 2007   Last Updated: September 03, 2011

There is something very comforting about Irish Soda Bread. Traditional soda bread does not contain egg, sugar, raisins, (gasp) whiskey, etc. It is  considered a cake once those things are added. There are only 4 main ingredient to this bread. As I was researching the history of the bread I came across many "easy" methods to make soda bread and I have included one of them as well just for fun. I was so distracted at how inaccurate the bread recipes are that I actually did not find much on the history and now I am out of time because I am planning on making this as soon as I publish this article. So without further ado...

*White Soda Bread

4 cups (16 oz) of all purpose flour.
1 Teaspoon baking soda
1 Teaspoon salt
14 oz of sour milk (buttermilk)

Method:

Preheat the oven to 425 F. degrees. Lightly grease and flour a cake pan.

In a large bowl sieve and combine all the dry ingredients.

Add the buttermilk to form a sticky dough. Place on floured surface and lightly knead (too much allows the gas to escape)

Shape into a round flat shape in a round cake pan and cut a cross in the top of the dough.

Cover the pan with another pan and bake for 30 minutes (this simulates the bastible pot). Remove cover and bake for an additional 15 minutes.

The bottom of the bread will have a hollow sound when tapped so show it is done.

Cover the bread in a tea towel and lightly sprinkle water on the cloth to keep the bread moist.

*Easy 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

DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease a large baking sheet.
2. 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.
3. 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.

*This recipe comes from The Society for the Preservation of Irish Soda Bread (http://www.bookguy.com/cooking/SodabreadRecipes.htm )

* Amazingly Easy Irish Soda Bread allrecipes.com (http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Amazingly-Easy-Irish-S oda-Bread/Detail.aspx)

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