Soda bread is a traditional Irish favorite that can be successfully made by novice and experienced bakers alike.
Traditionally it contained only flour, baking soda, buttermilk and salt, though more modern recipes dress up the relatively plain, dry bread into more of a dessert cake. Dried fruits, sugar and alcohols are often added for sweetness, and nothing seems more holiday-appropriate than whiskey or Guinness-based recipes.
Try experimenting with green food coloring and different flavor combinations for bread that looks as good as it tastes. Bailey’s liqueur and mint, raisins and sour cream, and caraway seeds and cheddar cheese are just a few tasty variations to consider.
The following is a good base on which to build your own recipe, as it is a simple, modified version of the traditional with only common baking ingredients added. These proportions will yield one small loaf, so doubling may be necessary if you’re expecting guests.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups flour
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ Tbsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ stick butter
- ½ c. buttermilk
- 1 egg
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
- Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl.
- In a separate bowl, stir together melted butter, buttermilk and egg then add to flour mixture.
- Lightly knead until all ingredients are well-mixed and dough has a fluffy, moist character.
- Slightly flatten the dough ball and center on a lightly-greased baking sheet.
- Cook for 20-25 minutes or until a knife inserted into the center comes out with no residual dough. A delicious fresh bread aroma will fill the kitchen as the loaf approaches doneness.
- If you’re feeling creative, a basting brush can be used to “paint” the top of the dough ball. It may be helpful to first water down the food coloring for easier coverage. A toothpick can also be used to draw a design into the top. Keep in mind that any indentions made will pronounce the surrounding dough as it rises, which made for a very nice three-dimensional clover.