Irish Soda Bread (White)

Ingredients

• 4 cups all-purpose flour (I prefer unbleached)
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 14 cup sugar
• 2 cups buttermilk
• 1 pinch salt

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
2. Lightly grease a 9-inch cake pan or 9x5 inch loaf pan.
3. Sift the flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and a pinch of salt together in a large bowl.
4. Stir in the sugar.
5. Make a well in the center, add the buttermilk, and work the milk into the flour until a soft dough is formed.
6. It should be slightly elastic and not too sticky.
7. If it appears too sticky, add flour a little at a time until you have a good dough.
8. Turn the dough into the prepared pan and cut either a slit or a cross into the top.
9. Bake for 10 minutes, then reduce the heat to 400 degrees and bake until bread is golden brown and firm to the touch.
10. (About 45 minutes.)
11. Let cool slightly before slicing.
12. Best if served warm with fresh butter, but also good fully cooled.