Irish Christmas Soda Bread

This tasty quick bread is superb for Christmas breakfast.

Ingredients make 1 loaf

600 g plain white flour

2 tsp mixed spice

1 tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda

¼ cup caster sugar (55g)

1 cup sultanas (150g)

1 egg (50g)

450 ml buttermilk

Method

Preheat oven to 210ºC normal bake. Mix together flour, mixed spice, salt, sugar and baking soda in a large bowl and make a well in the center. Mix buttermilk, egg and sultanas in another bowl. Add the liquid blend to the flour mixture and working from the center mix with your hands making dough. Turn mixture out onto a floured board and knead until combined. Form a large round ball and place on a baking sheet or a lightly floured baking tray. Cut a deep cross and bake for 15 minutes. Reduce oven heat to 200 ºC and bake for approx. 20 minutes or until the bread is cooked and sounds hollow when tapped at the base.

Note: Try adding other dried fruits such as currants, pruned, dates and mixed peel.