Soda Bread

4 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp sugar (optional)
2 cups buttermilk or sour milk


Sieve dry ingredients into a large bowl. Scoop up handfuls and allow to drop back into bowl to aerate the mixture. Add enough buttermilk to make a soft dough. Knead dough quickly and lightly (too much kneading will toughen it) yet thoroughly (not kneading enough will not allow it to rise properly.

Form a round loaf about as thick as your fist. Place it on a lightly floured baking sheet and cut a cross in the top with a floured knife. Put immediately onto the highest rack in a 450* oven Bake 35-40min. Loaf will sound hollow when rapped on the bottom with your knuckles. Wrap immediately in a tea towel to prevent crust from hardening too much.