Soda Bread
Servings: 1 loaf | Time: 45 minutes
My St. Patrick’s Day favorite is Irish soda bread. A few years ago I taught it in my cooking class, thinking it would simply be a fun recipe, not worrying too much about how good or bad it would turn out because it was easy and festive. It quickly became one of my favorites because of the simplicity and the tender crumb that awaits inside this giant mound of bready goodness. Unlike most breads, soda bread rises from baking soda and baking powder rather than yeast, and the acidity in buttermilk activates that rise. It’s a fun, warm, and delicious way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, and if you want to make it even more festive, you can always dye it green.
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt mix
well.
Cut the butter into small pieces burry the pieces into the flour mixture using your fingers, break the butter until it resembles wet sand.
Add the egg and the buttermilk and mix into flour mixture until it is incorporated.
Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead gently until the dough forms a smooth ball.
Place the loaf in the oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until golden brown.
Ingredients
2 ¼ cups bread flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons cold unsalted butter
1 egg, beaten
1 cup buttermilk
