Irish Soda Bread

A “must” to have with Irish Beef Stew with Guinness!

Irish Soda Bread

Ingredients:

• 4 cups wheat flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 2 cups buttermilk
• 1 cup raisins,  dried cranberries or Craisins (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 450°.
2. Sift flour, salt, baking soda and sugar into a large bowl mixing it all together.
3. Pour 2 cups of buttermilk into the flour mixture while stirring to make a soft dough.
4. Add raisins, dried cranberries or Craisins to your dough, if you wish.
5. Knead the dough lightly.
6. Form a round loaf as thick as your fist.
7. Place dough on a lightly floured baking sheet.
8. Use a floured knife to cut a cross into the top of the loaf.
9. If you need to adjust your baking racks in the oven, do this so you are baking the dough near the top of the oven for 35 to 45 minutes.
10. Once your bread is done, cut into quarters.
11. Wrap bread in a clean towel or plastic to keep the crush from getting too hard.