The Luck of the Irish (or at least their bread...)

I'm obsessed with bread, friends. Sourdough, Focaccia, Wheat Berry...any kind really. Every few weeks I turn out this bread for myself and my roommates. It's perfect for a night snack, or for breakfast with some hard cheese and coffee. This is a modified recipie I found online, and yes, the Irish butter makes all the difference.

Irish Soda Bread

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/3 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 egg, lightly beaten
2 cups buttermilk
1/4 cup  good Irish butter, melted

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan.


2. Combine flour, baking powder, sugar, salt and baking soda. Blend egg and buttermilk together, and add all at once to the flour mixture. Mix just until moistened. Stir in butter. Pour into prepared pan.

3. Bake for 65 to 70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the bread comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack.
 
4. Wrap in foil for several hours, or overnight, for best flavor. This last step makes all the difference! Don't skip it!
 
I actually used powdered buttermilk for this recipie, since it's the only thing I ever use buttermilk for. The only change is that you follow the directions and put the recommended amount of water in with your wet ingredients, and the powder goes in with the dry ingredients. I find it's a bit more economic that way!
 
Give this bread a try for St. Pat's! It's not quite traditional but it IS delicious.