So-Easy Soda Bread
Hey - want everyone to think you’re a master bread baker ;)? Then this is the recipe for you! It’s sooo easy and sooo yummy :)!!
Decades ago, my husband and I loved going to our neighborhood ‘whole foods’ type grocery store, long before Wholefoods ever existed. First thing on weekend mornings, this store sold the best dark grainy soda bread I had ever tasted. It was best fresh from the oven, rushed home and then, while still warm, enjoyed spread with soft butter and liquid honey. That yummy buttery honey goodness melted on thick cut slices of that warm bread was divine!
And then I learned how to make this bread for myself. Unlike a yeast bread, no special tools and or science are needed to make a soda bread…just a few simple ingredients, a bowl and a spoon. And voila’, no more racing back and forth from the bakery to enjoy fresh from the oven soda bread.
Soda Bread Recipe
Special Note: The loaf in this recipe was made with white flour, oats and whole-wheat flour. Once you’ve given this flour combination a try, feel free to experiment with other flours like rye and or graham.
Ingredients:
1c all-purpose flour
1 1/2c rolled oats
1 1/2c whole-wheat flour
2tbsp sugar
1tbsp baking powber
1tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp fine salt (like table salt)
3tbsp butter or vegetable oil
3/4c raisins (optional)
1 3/4c buttermilk (if you don’t have buttermilk, you can substitute sour milk. To make sour milk, add 1tbsp white vinegar to 1c milk :))
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
In bowl, combine white flour, rolled oats and whole-wheat flour.
Add sugar, baking powder and baking soda.
Stir to combine.
Add butter (or oil). If using butter, cut in with a pastry cutter (as shown in the photo) or distribute butter /oil with a fork…until well blended and the ingredients are a little crumbly.
Stir in raisins (if using).
Stir in buttermilk to make a soft dough.
Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead about 10 times until smooth. (You’ll likely find you’ll need to keep your hands well floured because this soft wet dough will be clinging to your dry hands.)
Form into a large ball shape and place on parchment lined (or greased) baking sheet.
Flatten into a circle about 2 1/2” (6cm) thick.
Cut a large ‘X’ in the top and place in the preheated oven.
Bake until done…about 40 - 50 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
Once removed from oven, transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling…
Ahh - But Wait! :) - once it’s at least cooled enough to handle (5 -or so minutes) have the butter and honey ready for a warm oven fresh slice!!
