Irish Soda Bread
Experience the real taste of Ireland with this easy to make soda bread
Makes 1 loaf
Takes 45-55 minutes
Freezes for up to a month
Ingredients
- 250g plain white flour
- 250g plain wholemeal flour
- 100g porridge oats
- 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 25g butter, cut in pieces or melted
- 500ml buttermilk
- mixed fruit (optional)
Method
- Preheat the oven to 200C/gas 6/fan 180C and dust a baking sheet with flour. Mix the dry ingredients in a large bowl, then rub in the butter. Pour in the buttermilk and mix it in quickly with a table knife, then bring the dough together very lightly with your fingertips . You should handle it very gently, not kneed it as this will lose too much air. Now shape it into a flat, round loaf measuring about 8in (20cm) in diameter.
- Place the loaf on the baking sheet. Now score a deep cross in the top. (This is supposed to let the fairies out, but it does also help the bread to cook through.)
- Bake for 30-35 minutes until the bottom of the loaf sounds hollow when tapped. If it isn’t ready after this time, turn it upside down on the baking sheet and bake for a few minutes more.
- Transfer to a wire rack, cover with a clean tea towel (this keeps the crust nice and soft) and leave to cool.
- To serve, break into quarters, then break or cut each quarter in half to make 8 wedges or slices – or simply slice across.
- Eat as soon as possible. It’s at is best when it is still fresh.
Nutrition Per slice
296 kcalories, protein 11.0g, carbohydrate 56.0g, fat 5.0 g, saturated fat 3.0g, fibre 5.0g, salt 1.21 g