Following on from Bake Off a few weeks ago here is a very quick bread to make. Not often seen to buy in the shops, I think due to it’s limited keeping quality. It is really versatile I have added walnuts and apples – try seeds/blue cheese or dried fruit. Delicious to have with fresh soup and butter!

You can also make buttermilk by adding lemon juice. For 250ml of milk (whole or semi-skinned) add 1tbsp of lemon juice, mix and leave for 5-10 mins. It will not be as thick but is a great substitute.

Soda Bread

Ingredients

200g strong white flour

50g strong wholemeal flour

5g salt

7g Bicarbonate of Soda

55g walnuts – crushed

1 apple – finely cubed (I leave the skin on)

255g buttermilk or ½ plain yogurt and ½ full fat milk

Method:

1. Preheat Oven to highest level. 225 -250 C
2. Place the flour, salt and bicarbonate into a bowl and mix together. Stir in the walnuts, apple and buttermilk. Gently fold the ingredients together until all the dry flour is incorporated, use a wooden spoon or dough scraper for this.
3. Once it is all together, turn out onto a floured surface. Gently roll the dough in the flour but this dough does not need kneading. Form into a ball. Place on greaseproof paper, flatten slightly with your hand. Sprinkle more flour on top. Make a cross by cutting into the dough, about ¾ down.
4. Place the bread in the oven and bake for about 20-25 minutes until browned.