irish soda bread

In anticipation of St. Patrick's Day on Friday, I thought I'd share my soda bread recipe. It is yummy, and easy to make! I'll serve it with corned beef, carrots & potatoes (I don't like cabbage).

Since B often works Friday nights anyway, we'll have our traditional St. Patrick's Day dinner on Sunday. (and, yes, I know that corned beef is about as Irish as macaroni & cheese . . . but it's family tradition all the same.)

**Note -- I use the SACO brand powdered buttermilk instead of real buttermilk. It's found in the baking products aisle of most grocery stores. For this recipe, for the 1 cup of buttermilk, add 4 T powder to the dry ingredients and 1 cup water to the wet. For 1/4 cup buttermilk, add 1T powder to 1/4 cup water and mix before adding to the melted butter **

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


Directions
1 Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease a large baking sheet.
2 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.
3 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.