If you haven't tried bread made without yeast, you've missed out. Irish Soda Bread is an easy way to put bread on the table in the blink of an eye. You only need 4 ingredients.
Preheat oven to 450F and dust a baking sheet with flour.
Mix the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Make a well in the center and gradually add the buttermilk, drawing in the dry ingredients from the sides of the bowl. Mix until a soft dough forms.
Turn out onto a work surface lightly dusted with flour and shape into a a round about 2 inches in height. Place the round on the prepared baking sheet and use a floured knife to cut a deep cross in it.
Bake in the preheated oven for 30-45 minutes until the loaf sounds hollow when tapped on the base. Transfer to a wire rack and leave to cool completely.
It keeps well in an airtight container for up to 3 days. It can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
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Notes
If you can't get buttermilk, there are several easy substitutes for it:
Natural yogurt– make up a 3:1 mixture of plain yogurt and water
Sour cream– make up a 3:1 mixture of sour cream and water
Kefir– thin the kefir with water or milk until it has the consistency of buttermilk.
Cream of tartar– Mix 1 cup whole milk with 1 ¾ teaspoons cream of tartar. Stir and leave to stand for 5-10 minutes until thick and curdled. Milk and lemon juice or vinegar– Mix 1 cup of whole milk with one tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar. Leave to stand for 5-10 minutes until slightly curdled.
Storage: To store leftover bread, wrap it in foil or plastic and keep it in a cool, dry place, avoiding the fridge to prevent dryness. In humid areas, a paper towel can help absorb moisture. Freeze the bread, well-wrapped, for up to three months. Thaw at room temperature and, if desired, reheat in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes.