Southern Soda Bread

Prep: 15 min.; Bake: 1 hr., 20 min.; Cool: 1 hr., 10 min.

Yield: Makes 2 loaves

Ingredients

• 4 1/2  cups  all-purpose flour
• 2/3  cup  sugar
• 4 1/2  teaspoons  baking powder
• 1 1/2  teaspoons  baking soda
• 1 1/2  teaspoons  salt
• 3  cups  buttermilk
• 3  large eggs, lightly beaten
• 4 1/2  tablespoons  butter, melted

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Whisk together first 5 ingredients in a large bowl. Make a well in center of mixture. Add buttermilk, eggs, and butter, whisking just until thoroughly blended. (Batter should be almost smooth.) Pour batter into 2 lightly greased 8 1/2- x 4 1/2-inch loaf pans.

2. Bake at 350° for 45 minutes. Rotate pans in oven, and shield with aluminum foil. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until a long wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans on a wire rack 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife along edges of bread to loosen from pans. Remove from pans to wire rack, and cool completely (about 1 hour).