Thanks Mum xx
Her Grandmother (also called Anne) taught her to bake as a child and therefore, I can guarantee it is indeed a long loved and delicious bake.
I love Irish Soda Bread and generally make at least one loaf a week. However, there are weeks where I seem to do nothing else. I find the recipe of using 1lb of plain flour very heavy and stodgy, so I use half plain and half self raising and this gives it a lighter texture.
Have a go, it's so, so simple.
You will need:
1lb/454g Plain Flour (Mix it up - brown, wholemeal, self-raising, seeded whatever you like).
1tsp Baking Soda.
1tsp Baking Powder.1/2 teaspoon Salt.
1/2 Tablespoon Sugar.
3/4-1 Pint Buttermilk.
Preheat oven - Gas 8/230C - middle shelf of oven.
Add the rest of the dry ingredients to the Flour.
Add the buttermilk. A little at a time to start.
Bring the dough together with you hand.
I however, do the kneading in the bowl - saves on wash up and it's how I was shown how to do it.
Don't over-knead the dough as it will result in a tough bread. 30-40 seconds maximum.
Gently press the dough down into the tin.
Turn the heat down a little Gas 7/220C.
Leave for another 30-40 minutes or until its thoroughly cooked.
Check for doneness by tapping the bottom of the bread for a hollow sound or place a skewer through the bread and if it comes out cleanly with no reside then the bread is done.
Here's the Handy Printable.