Monday, June 20, 2005

Irish Soda Bread

This is a "MUST HAVE" for St. Patrick's Day, but it's yummy any time of year! I use the SACO brand powdered buttermilk instead of real buttermilk. You can usually find it in the baking products aisle. For this recipe, for the 1 cup of buttermilk, add 4 T powder to the dry ingredients and 1 cup water to the wet. For 1/4 cup buttermilk, add 1T powder to 1/4 cup water and mix before adding to the melted butter **

4 cups all-purpose flour
4 tablespoons white sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup margarine, softened
1 cup buttermilk
1 egg
1/4 cup butter, melted
1/4 cup buttermilk


Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease a large baking sheet.

In a large bowl, mix together flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt and margarine. Stir in 1 cup of buttermilk and egg.

Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead slightly. Form dough into a round and place on prepared baking sheet. You can make one very large loaf, or two smaller loaves.

In a small bowl, combine melted butter with 1/4 cup buttermilk; brush loaf with this mixture. Use a sharp knife to cut an 'X' into the top of the loaf.

Bake in preheated oven for 45 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean, about 30 to 50 minutes. You may continue to brush the loaf with the butter mixture while it bakes.

No comments: