Irish Soda Bread

Irish Soda Bread 

Ingredients

·      450g (3 ¾ cups) All-Purpose Flour 

·      1 teaspoon baking soda

·      1 teaspoon salt

·      400ml Butter milk

·      150g Extra All-Purpose Flour

Instructions

1.   Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Place parchment paper on a baking sheet.

2.   In a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt. Pour in the buttermilk and mix by hand until it is all combined into one ball of dough.

3.   Sprinkle flour on the counter and tip dough of the bowl on to flour.

4.   Shape the dough into a ball, keep rolling in flour if wet.

5.   Place the dough ball on the baking sheet and make 2 deep cuts in the shape of a cross on top on the dough.

6.   Bake in preheated oven for 13 minutes at 450 degrees and reduce heat to 400 degrees for additional 20-25 minutes.

7.   You will know the bread is done if it makes a hollow sound when you tap the bottom of the loaf, you can insert a toothpick, if it comes out clean the loaf is done. Place your soda bread on a cooling rack for 30 minutes before slicing.

Cheese & Herb Variation: Add to dry mix before adding buttermilk: 75g grated hard cheese, 1 teaspoon dried herbs (rosemary/thyme)

Railway Cake Variation: Add to dry mix before adding buttermilk: 50g sugar, 75g raisins, 2 teaspoons caraway seeds (optional)