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Traditional Irish Soda Bread

Inspired by Darina Allen

Ingredients
  • 1 pound all-purpose flour (Irish brands such as Odlums can be purchased on Amazon)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon sodium bicarbonate or bicarbonate of soda (You can purchase on Amazon or substitute with 1 teaspoon of baking soda
  • 12* ounces buttermilk (if you can get it, use Jersey buttermilk from Jersey cows)
  • Author's Note: If desired, a handful of raisins or currents can be added to the mix.
Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.

  2. In a large mixing bowl, add flour, salt, and bicarbonate of soda. The bicarbonate of soda may have lumps: if it does, use a sieve to break them up and sprinkle into the mix, or use the palm of your hand to break up the lumps.

  3. Make a well in the center of the bowl (clear space in the middle). Pour in buttermilk. Using your hand in a claw shape, place in the well of buttermilk and begin to stir outward, thus mixing the buttermilk with the dry mixture. Stir until combined. *If dough is overly dry, add an additional 1 to 2 tablespoons of buttermilk.

  4. Flour a countertop or work surface. Place the combined mixture on top. Do not knead. Instead, "tidy it up" with your hands, pat around it, then flip it over. Tuck the dough underneath all around add a tad more flour if needed. Dough should be about an inch and a half thick.

  5. Place on a thin baking pan. Cut a deep cross on top of the dough--this is the "blessing", but practically it helps the loaf cook through. Prick the four corners to "let the fairies out" (optional but why not?!). Place in the oven immediately.

  6. Bake 30 to 35 minutes. Cool on a rack. Slather with good Irish butter, such as Kerrygold.

Author's Note:

  1. If you do not wish to make from scratch, you can purchase Odlums soda bread mix, both white and brown, and it will still be delicious.