Fresh baked bread on a cold and dreary day (ok, any day) is such a treat for the senses, why not keep a recipe handy that is both yummy and quick. Here’s a recipe for a super simple and absolutely delicious homemade bread, without yeast…

Irish Soda Bread

– 2 cups flour

– 1 1/2  tsp. baking powder

– 1/2 tsp. baking soda

– 1 cup buttermilk*

– 1 tbls. melted butter (optional)

* if you don’t have buttermilk on hand – pour juice of one lemon (juice from half of a lemon will do just fine too) into a 1 cup measuring cup – then fill remainder of cup with milk. Let stand a few minutes; use as if it’s buttermilk.

(Buttermilk is far superior, but for those times when you just don’t have it on hand, this substitute is the perfect solution.)

Mix flour, baking powder and baking soda.

Add buttermilk and stir until begins to form a ball.

Knead a few times (either in bowl or on lightly floured surface) and form into a round ball.

Place on ungreased baking sheet and slightly flatten.

Rub gently with melted butter.

Bake at 350 for about 35 minutes or until done. Super scrumptious served warm, but just as delicious not…Enjoy it – Sliced thick and toasted, smothered with butter. As French toast. Sandwiches of any sort. Why not with soup, salad and your favorite beverage?

It’s an all around good recipe to keep on hand for those moments when nothing but a fresh loaf of bread will do…or your simply out of bread.

Enjoy beauty.