Soda Bread

Homemade Soda Bread

1 1/2 cups plain flour
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 tbsp white sugar (optional)
2 tbsp rolled oats (optional)
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups buttermilk

Preheat oven to 190°C and place the rack in the centre of the oven. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flours, sugar, oats, baking soda, and salt. Make a well in the centre of the flour mixture and add most of the buttermilk. Using yours hands, or a wooden spoon, mix (adding more buttermilk if necessary) until you have a soft moist dough.
Transfer to a lightly floured surface and gently knead the dough into a 18 cm round that is about 2.5 cm thick. Place the round on your prepared baking sheet and then, with a sharp knife or clean kitchen scissors, cut an "X" across the top of the bread.

Bake for about 40 - 50 minutes or until nicely browned and a toothpick inserted into the centre of the bread comes out clean. You can also test that is fully baked by tapping the bottom of the bread - it should sound hollow.