Traditional Irish Soda Bread (White & Brown)

Preheat: 425 Prep: 20 min Bake: 45 min

Ingredients:

1. 4 c all purpose flour (white soda bread) or 3 c wheat flour & 1 c white flour (brown soda bread)
2. 1 3/4 c buttermilk
3. 1 tsp salt
4. 1 1/2 tsp baking soda

Optional Ingredients for a more modern bread:

1. 4 Tbs Butter

Directions:

1. Lightly grease & flour a cake pan.
2. In a large bowl sieve & combine dry ingredients.
3. (optional) Rub in butter until flour becomes crumbly.
4. Add buttermilk to form a sticky dough.
5. Place on floured surface & lightly knead (over kneading causes the gas to escape)
6. Shape into a round flat disk shape.
7. Place into cake pan & cut a cross into the top of the dough.
8. Cover with another cake pan & bake 30 min.
9. Remove cake cover & bake an additional 15 min.
10. Bread is done when the bottom has a hollow sound when tapped.

Perfectly served with butter & a cup of tea.