Irish Soda Bread

Soda Bread is a traditional Irish bread that is suited for many meals. Famously involving sodium bicarbonate, the name "Soda Bread" came about. Incorporating simple ingredients, it is also simple to make in your kitchen and to be shared amongst your guests. A perfect piece of freshly baked goods to give a refreshing atmosphere of fresh bread.

This recipe makes a classic and delicious baked soda bread that pairs marvellously with soups, jams, marmalades, or a generous dollop of butter.  

Soda Bread Recipe Steps:

1. Preheat the oven to 220°C.
2. Sift together the flour, salt, and baking soda in a large bowl.
3. Mix in the seeds. If using the seeds.
4. Add the butter and rub it into the flour mixture with your fingertips until it resembles bread crumbs.
5. Make a well in the centre.
6. Whisk the egg with the buttermilk in another bowl and pour most liquid into the flour mixture.
7. Using one hand, knead the flour and juice together into a dough, adding more of the buttermilk mixture if needed. The dough should be pretty soft but not too sticky.
8. Place the dough into a loaf pan and cut a deep cross on top.
9. Bake for 15 minutes, then turn down the heat to 200°C and bake for an additional 30 minutes.
10. Remove from the loaf pan and place on a wire rack to cool. The loaf should sound slightly hollow when tapped on the bottom.