Irish Soda Bread

• 250gplain white flour
• 250gplain wholemeal flour
• 1tspbicarbonate of soda
• 1tspfine salt
• 400mlbuttermilk, you may need a little more

Equipment

Shop links are affiliate links (disclosure).

• Baking trayBrowseShop on Amazon UK(affiliate link, opens in a new tab)
• Digital kitchen scalesHow to chooseShop on Amazon UK(affiliate link, opens in a new tab)

1. 1

   Heat the oven to 200°C / 180°C fan / gas 6 and dust a baking tray with flour.

2. 2

   Mix the flours, bicarbonate of soda and salt in a large bowl, then make a well in the centre.

3. 3

   Pour in most of the buttermilk and mix quickly with your hand or a spoon into a soft, slightly sticky dough. Add the rest if it is dry.

4. 4

   Tip onto a floured surface and shape into a round about 4 cm deep, handling it as little as possible.

5. 5

   Put on the tray and cut a deep cross into the top with a floured knife, almost to the edges.

6. 6

   Bake for 30–35 minutes, until the loaf is well browned and sounds hollow when tapped underneath.

7. 7

   Cool on a wire rack. Wrap in a clean tea towel for a softer crust.