Instructions: This bread is popular throughout Ireland because it is easily and quickly made it is often baked fresh for tea or even breakfast.. The loaf made with white four is known as soda bread, while the inn made with wholemeal is known wheaten bread. In some parts of Ireland wheaten bread is also know as brown soda bread. Sieve the 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. Now work quickly as the buttermilk and soda are already reacting. Knead the dough lightly-too much handling it will toughen it- while too little means it wont rise properly. Form a round loaf about the size of your fist. Place on a lightly floured baking sheet and cut a cross on the top with a floured knife. Put at once to bake near the top of a preheated at 450 for 35 - 45 minutes. When baked the loaf will sound hollow when rapped on the bottom with your knuckles. Wrap immediately in a clean tea-towel to stop the crust hardening too much.

WHEATEN BREAD or BROWN SODA is made exactly the same way but with wholemeal flour replacing all or most of the white flour and will require less buttermilk.

Another variation is to add 1/2 cup sultanas to the white bread- this loaf is known as Spotted Dick.

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