Irish Soda Bread

Irish Soda Bread
Adapted from Gordon Ramsay

Sometimes, I crave homemade bread but I don't have the time to wait hours for dough to rise. These are the times when I make soda bread. All I need is an hour and then I can slather some butter on a warm slice and appease my cravings.  Soda bread has a soft, cake like texture that makes it perfect for spreads like butter and jam.

The cross on the soda bread has several explanations. My favourite is that bakers did it to "let the devil out" while the bread is baking for good luck. I'm not going to mess with the devil so I always cross my bread. ;) Enjoy!

Makes 1 loaf

Ingredients:
3 cups all purpose flour
1 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups buttermilk
1/4 cup old fashion rolled oats

Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Sift the flours, baking soda, sugar and salt into a bowl and make a well in the middle.


3. Add buttermilk to the bowl, mixing gently with a fork or your hands as you add it. Don't overwork the dough but make sure all the dry ingredients are mixed in. If the dough seems a bit wet, add a little more all purpose flour.

4. Place the dough on to a floured work surface and sprinkle with 1/2 of the oats. Knead gently for about a minute to combine. Do not overwork.

5. Form the bread into a round loaf and sprinkle the top with remaining oats, pressing them down slightly.  Place loaf  on the baking sheet.  Use a serrated knife, cut a deep cross in the top of the loaf.

6.  Bake for 40–45 minutes until the bread is golden on the outside and cooked through inside.

7.  Cool on a wire rack. You can serve this bread warm or cold.


3 comments:

Jo said...

Wouldn't dare make it, looks too moreish.

camille said...

Soda bread is the bomb dot com. So soft and warm and... mmm, want some right now!

I appreciate that your recipe doesn't adulterate it with raisins!

Chris said...

Hi there, greetings from Northern Ontario. I was down your way just a couple of months ago and will be back in the Spring to visit my darling grandbabies. I'm just stopping by to say how delightful your blog is. Thanks so much for sharing. I have recently found your blog and am now following you, and will visit often. Please stop by my blog and perhaps you would like to follow me also. Have a wonderful day. Hugs, Chris
http://chelencarter-retiredandlovingit.blogspot.ca/

 
Dragon's Kitchen - Copyright 2007-2010