Soda Bread
1 loaf serves 4
Ingredients
2/3 cup milk
1 Tablespoon white vinegar
2 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 Tablespoon sugar
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup raisins
1 egg
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350°
In a glass measuring pitcher add the milk and vinegar together stir and set aside.
Place all of the dry ingredients together into a bowl with the raisins.
Cut the butter into small pieces and work into the dough with your hands or with a fork until the butter is mixed in and has a course texture.
Crack the egg into the milk mixture and stir to blend.
Combine the milk and egg into the dry ingredients until the dough comes together.
Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead slightly then form it into an oval shape.
Place it onto a parchment lined sheet pan or buttered cake pan.
Score a large cross into the dough with a knife so it doesn’t crack when it bakes.
Brush the top with milk and sprinkle with a little sugar.
Bake for 2o minutes or until the butter edges are slightly browned.
Notes
A classic Irish quick bread that uses baking soda and buttermilk as a leaveners instead of yeast. An easy and quick bake that you and your kids can make together for St Patrick’s Day. It’s a nice treat for the morning or afternoon tea. You can use store bought buttermilk or make your own by adding the vinegar to milk. This sour flavor will not over power or be all that noticeable but is slightly different than just adding milk alone and gives this quick bread a little more rise.
Raisins can be omitted and orange zest, lemon zest, chocolate chips or cranberries can be added for variety. Although the classic Irish Soda bread would have caraway seeds.