Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F at least 15 minutes in advance. Spray or butter an 8 or 9 inch cake pan and line with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, salt and baking soda for one full minute to break up lumps.
3. Stir together buttermilk and warm honey, then pour into flour mixture.
4. Switch to a stiff rubber spatula and stir gently, just until flour disappears completely.
5. Optional: Combine raisins or dried fruit with 1 tablespoon of flour and add into mixture, just until combined.
6. It’s very important to use light hands and not overmix the dough.
7. Scrape sticky dough into cake pan and smooth top with back of spatula.
8. Use a sharp knife to make a deep X across the bread, cleaning the knife between each cut.
9. Bake for 45 -50 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
10. Or use a meat thermometer: the bread should be at about 210 F.
11. Cool the bread on a wire rack.
12. Best eaten in a day or two. This bread reheats/ toasts well and is good hot or cold.