Irish Soda Bread is a quick bread that does not require any yeast. Instead, all its leavening comes from baking soda and buttermilk.
Ingredients:
1 and 3/4 cups buttermilk
1 large egg
4 and 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
3 tbsp granulated sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
5 tbsp unsalted butter, cold and cubed
3/4 cup raisins or dried cranberries (optional)
Directions:
Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Whisk buttermilk egg together. Set aside. Whisk flour, granulated sugar, baking soda, and salt together in a large bowl. Cut in the butter using a pastry cutter, a fork, or your fingers. Mixture will be heavy.
Stir in the raisins or dried cranberries. Pour in the buttermilk/egg mixture. Gently fold the dough together until dough it is too stiff to stir.
Pour crumbly dough onto a lightly floured work surface. With floured hands, work the dough into a ball as best you can, then knead for about 30 seconds or until all the flour is moistened. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour.
Place on baking sheet. Using a very sharp knife, score a 1/2-inch-deep X into the top.
Bake until the bread is golden brown and center is cooked through, about 45-55 minutes.
Remove from the oven and allow bread to cool for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Serve warm, at room temperature, or toasted with desired toppings/spreads.
