*  Exported from  MasterCook  *

                            Irish Soda Bread 2

Recipe By     : 
Serving Size  : 1    Preparation Time :0:00
Categories    : Breads

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
   1       tb           Butter, softened
   4       c            All-purpose flour
   1       t            Baking soda
   1       t            Salt
   1 1/2   c            Buttermilk

  Preheat the oven to 425 F.  With a pastry brush coat a baking sheet
  evenly with the tablespoon of softened butter. Sift the flour, soda
  and salt together into a deep mixing bowl.  Gradually add 1 cup of
  the buttermilk, beating constantly with a large spoon until the
  dough is firm enough to be gathered into a ball.  If the dough
  crumbles, beat up to 1/2 cup more buttermilk into it by the
  tablespoon until the particles adhere.
  
  Place the dough on a lightly floured board and pat and shape it
  into a flat circular loaf about 8" in diameter and 1-1/2" thick. 
  Set he loaf on the baking sheet.  Then with the tip of a small
  knife cut a 1/2" deep X into the dough,dividing the top of the loaf
  into quarters.
  
  Bake the bread in the middle of the oven for about 45 minutes or
  until the top is golden brown.
  
  There are a couple of variations on this.  You can add 1 cup
  currants or raisins with the flour.  Also you can sprinkle the top
  of the loaf with caraway seeds.
 


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