Irish Soda Bread Recipe

1. Put all the dry ingredients (Plain White Flour, Plain Wholemeal Flour, Bicarbonate of Soda and Salt) into a mixing bowl and stir lightly with a wooden spoon.
2. Then rub in the cubed butter with your finger tips until it's combined into the dry ingredients.
3. Make a hole in the centre and add the Buttermilk - mix lightly and keep a little bit back for brushing the top.
4. Add 1-3 tbsp of Treacle (depending on how sweet you'd like the Soda Bread) then mix everything thoroughly.
5. knead the mixture for a few minutes - adding Flour if it's too sticky or Milk if it's too dry.
6. Make the dough into a large ball and put on a baking tray. Squash it slightly into a cow pat, then cut a deep cross on top (at least half way down).
7. Sprinkle the top with some oats then put in the oven for 30-35 minutes on 180c.
8. Once done, it's important to cool the bread on a wire rack so the bottom gets some air.

This recipe tastes best if eaten fresh on the day of baking with butter, jam, or best of all, toasted - Sl√°inte! Check out my Guinness Punch Recipe.