Irish Soda Bread

I found another recipe on AllRecipes to go with our irish-themed meal on Tuesday for irish soda bread. I'd never had soda bread before. It is sooo good! The buttermilk gives the bread a great flavor. Its awesome with some homemade jam or apple butter on it! This is a very simple, easy to throw together recipe that I'm sure I'll make every so often. I threw it all together and baked it in the morning before we left for work, that is how simple it is! I made a half-recipe and it was plenty for us - for our St. Patty's day meal, and for our dinners for a couple nights after.

Irish Soda Bread

4 cups all-purpose flour
4 tablespoons white sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup margarine, softened
1 cup buttermilk
1 egg
1/4 cup butter, melted
1/4 cup buttermilk

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease a large baking sheet.

In a large bowl, mix together flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt and margarine. Stir in 1 cup of buttermilk and egg. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead slightly. Form dough into a round and place on prepared baking sheet. In a small bowl, combine melted butter with 1/4 cup buttermilk; brush loaf with this mixture. Use a sharp knife to cut an 'X' into the top of the loaf.

Bake in preheated oven for 45 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean, about 30 to 50 minutes. You may continue to brush the loaf with the butter mixture while it bakes. (I didn't do that. If you don't plan on doing this either, you won't need nearly as much buttermilk/butter to brush on... probably only need a Tablespoon of each and you'd be good to go.)