Irish Soda Bread

By Cyndi Coon Wed., Mar. 16 2011 at 10:34 AM

Categories: Thrifty Cook

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Illustration By Cyndi Coon

Okay, so soda bread came long after Saint Patrick. Bicarbonate of soda arrived on the scene in the mid 1840's as a leavening agent and was used in Ireland to work with the wheat grown there. Whatever, who needs the details of St. Patrick anyway. This bread is to soak up all the beer in your belly on the biggest beer drinking day of the year. Spend your money on the brew and get thrifty on the bread by baking a loaf yourself.

Learn how to make Irish Soda Bread after the jump.

INGREDIENTS
-- 3 C flour
-- 1 Tbspn baking powder
-- 1/3 C white sugar
--1 tspn salt
--1 tspn baking soda
--1 egg
--2 C buttermilk
-- 1/4 C butter, melted

DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees
2. Grease a 9 x 5 inch loaf pan
3. Combine flour, baking powder, sugar, salt and baking soda in a large bowl

Photo: Cyndi Coon

4. Combine egg and buttermilk together in a small bowl, whisk together

Photo: Cyndi Coon

5. Add egg and buttermilk mixture to the flour mixture, mix just until moistened

Photo: Cyndi Coon

6. Stir in melted butter

Photo: Cyndi Coon

7. Pour into prepared pan

Photo: Cyndi Coon

8. Bake for 1 hour or until top browns
9. Cool on a wire rack and then a towel

Photo: Cyndi Coon

10. Wrap in foil overnight, for the very best flavor. When ready slice and serve

Photo: Cyndi Coon

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