Soda Bread

(I made two soda breads from the below recipe this is a picture of one of them, but you can make one big soda bread)
This is an enriched soda bread, sweeter tasting than the ordinary soda bread and softer to. My mom made this and a very similar cake bread (I'll put the recipe on soon) every week, she often made two one plain and one with plenty of mixed dried fruits, so there was always a piece to eat if someone popped in for a chat and a cuppa..
Great eaten anytime of the day, you don't need to toast it (unless you want to). Eat plain or add butter, maybe add a little jam, and aways with a cup of tea :)

Tip: don't put in more soda than needed it will make the bread bitter and strange tasting

Soda Bread

• 1 lb / 500gms/ 4 cup plain flour (all purpose flour)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 very heaped teaspoon Bicarbonate of Soda (baking soda)
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1oz / 25 grams/ butter
• 1 egg
• 1pt/ 1/2 litre/ 2 cups buttermilk
• Some extra egg beaten or milk
• Some extra butter

Sieve all the dry ingredients into a mixing bowl. Add the butter and rub in. In a cup break the egg and use a fork to beat. Make a well in the centre and add the egg & buttermilk, mix all ingredients the dough should be quite soft (wet and stickily), if its too dry add more buttermilk, too wet add more flour.Turn onto a lightly floured surface and very gently knead (don't knead like bread its more a light massage)Shape into a circle and place onto a baking tray, with a knife mark into 4 pieces. Brush the top of the soda bread with a some beaten egg or milk. Cook in a moderate oven until golden brown. If you lift the bread and tap-it it should sound hollow, it is cooked.
Using a knife butter the top of the soda bread using a small amount of butter (keeps it soft), wrap the soda bread in a clean tea towel to cool.