Soda Bread was first introduced to Ireland during the 1840s. A traditional product of a poor country, soda bread was made with only the most basic of ingredients: flour, baking soda (instead of yeast), soured milk to moisten and activate the soda, and salt.

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups low-fat buttermilk
Cooking spray

Instructions

Preheat oven to 450F. Combine the flours, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. Mix thoroughly. Make a well in the center of the mixture. Add buttermilk to flour mixture; stir until blended (dough will be sticky). Turn dough out onto a generously floured surface. Knead lightly 4 to 5 times. Shape dough into an 8-inch round loaf; place on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Bake at 450 for 15 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 400 and continue to bake for another 15 minutes, or until loaf sounds hollow when tapped underneath. Cool on a wire rack. Simple and delicious!