The Best Part about Spring

I love how colorful Springtime is. Nature, clothing, candy. . . There is color everywhere during this time of the year which is something I crave after all of the muted colors of the Winter.

Irish Soda Bread

My family has a few ancestors that hail from Ireland, but we don't make a huge deal out of celebrating St. Patrick's Day. On occasion we will have a simple Corned Beef and Cabbage meal every few years and my mom has always made this Irish Soda Bread to go with our meal. Eat it warm with butter melting down it and it is so good!

Irish Soda Bread
8-inch round pan or a baking sheet, 375 degrees F.

3 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups buttermilk (or use 1 1/2 cups milk soured with 1 1/2 tablespoons white vinegar)
1 tablespoon butter, melted

Sift dry ingredients together into a bowl. Add buttermilk all at once, and mix with a fork just until blended. Turn dough onto a lightly floured board and knead lightly until smooth. Shape into a ball and place in a well-greased pan or on a well-greased baking sheet. Use your hands to flatten dough into a 7-inch circle. With a sharp knife, score top, cutting about 1/4 inch deep and in about 2-inch squares. Bake about 30 minutes, or until lightly browned and loaf sounds hollow when flipped. Turnout onto cooking rack; brush with melted butter. Cool completely before cutting.