Name: Soda Bread
Yield: 1 round loaf
Cuisine: Vegan
Ingredients: 4 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 tablespoon sugar, optional; 1¾ cups unsweetened plant milk; 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar or lemon juice; 2 tablespoons neutral oil or melted vegan butter, optional

INGREDIENTS

1 round loaf

4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon sugar, optional
1¾ cups unsweetened plant milk
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar or lemon juice
2 tablespoons neutral oil or melted vegan butter, optional

METHOD

Make it

1
Heat the oven to 425°F.
2
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
3
Stir the vinegar or lemon juice into the plant milk. Let it sit for 5 minutes to make a quick vegan buttermilk.
4
In a large bowl, mix the flour, baking soda, salt and sugar.
5
Add the plant milk mixture and oil, if using.
6
Stir just until the dough comes together. Do not overmix.
7
Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and gently shape it into a round loaf. Do not knead it heavily.
8
Place it on the baking sheet and cut a deep X across the top.
9
Bake for 35 to 45 minutes, until browned and hollow-sounding when tapped underneath.
10
Cool for at least 20 minutes before slicing.

Cooking notes

Dough should be soft and slightly sticky; add a little flour only if too wet to shape.
Replace 1 cup all-purpose flour with whole-wheat flour for a heartier loaf.
For a sweeter loaf add ½ cup raisins and increase sugar to 2 tablespoons.
For a savory loaf add 1 teaspoon dried rosemary, thyme or Italian seasoning.