Page 144 - A Literary Holiday Cookbook

bowl, rubbing it through the flour mix with your fingers to evenly

incorporate. Scatter walnuts across the top of the flour mix but do not
stir.

3 Add the buttermilk all at once and stir until just combined. The

baking soda reaction begins as soon as the buttermilk is added, so
you want to move quickly after the dough has been stirred up.

4 Scrape the dough onto a well-floured surface. Dust hands with
flour and sprinkle over dough. Shape the dough into a 7-inch round

loaf, working quickly. Transfer loaf to the baking sheet and score a

large “X” across the entire top of the loaf with a sharp knife, cutting
down until you are about a ¼ inch from the bottom of the loaf. Bake

for 35 minutes or until golden and the bottom sounds hollow when
firmly tapped with a finger. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

Serve to some hungry woodland creatures!