Celebrate your heritage or simply be Irish for the day and savor Irish Soda 
Bread. This nourishing family tradition is served in our home for St. Patrick’s Day, Halloween, or anytime a hearty bread is desired. It’s perfect spread with butter to accompany soups and stews, for a snack or lunch topped with a slab of cheese, or with butter and jam and a hot cup of tea. Try making a loaf- you’ll surprise yourself how quick and easy it is to make a good looking, satisfying bread your friends and family will love!
*4 cups unbleached white flour 
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
2 cups buttermilk
Mix dry ingredients together. Be sure your baking soda is fresh. I replace mine often, and put the used box to good use as a cleaner. Add the buttermilk and stir together quickly till dough forms a ball. Don’t worry if all of the flour doesn’t mix in. Knead the dough and any remaining flour on lightly floured counter 8-10 times till smooth. Smooth side up, place the dough in buttered 9 inch pie pan (you may of course use a buttered baking sheet – the pie plate for me is more of a guide for a round loaf). Pat it down a bit. Slash the dough with a knife, making a cross with 2 cuts. Bake in 375 degree oven for 45-50 minutes. It will be nicely brown sometime before the 45 minutes, regardless I don’t pull it out earlier than 45 minutes nor do I bake it beyond 50 minutes.
The first quarter always disappears quickly!
*4 cups of whole wheat flour may be used but I have found a 50-50 mix is best if whole wheat is desired. Although most of my family members favor whole wheat bread in general- they prefer white flour in their Soda Bread.
EnchantedChocolates 