Soda Bread

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper.

4 cups all-purpose flour
4 tablespoons white sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

Mix together in a big bowl. Cut in

1/2 cup margarine, softened

I used my clean hands to help mix together.

1 cup buttermilk
1 egg

Slightly beat egg and mix with buttermilk to the dry ingredients.

Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead slightly. Knead only about 8 or 10 times.. it looks very flaky.  I remember what I read that the more you knead the tougher the bread will taste. Cut about 1/4 deep a X to help the bread bake thoroughly. I also read that the bread should rest before placing in the oven for about 30 minutes. So yea I tried that.  Hey this is my first time making soda bread!!

1 teaspoon  butter, melted
1 teaspoon buttermilk

Brush on the loaf before placing in oven.  You can brush with addition butter while cooking.
Bake 45 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean. 

I also read that the bread is better the next day. 

So the loaves (I didn't double the recipe- I made on at a time) came out looking like a big biscuit!