Albanian Soda Bread (Albanian Kulac)

Albanian soda bread or kulac as they call it, is a traditional bread recipe with a crunchy crust. It's an easy and least expensive way to put bread on the table.

 4 cups flour
 3 tsp baking powderdouble acting
 1 tsp salt
 1 tbsp olive oil
 1 ½ cups buttermilkas substitute 1 cup whole milk and 1/2 cup water
 1 egg

1

Adjust the oven rack to the middle position and preheat oven to 400° F. Brush a 9 inch baking pan or heavy bottom skillet with oil.

2

Gently combine flour, sugar, salt and baking powder in a large mixing bowl.

3

Slightly beat the egg with the milk and olive oil and stir in to the flour mixture.

4

Knead the dough until all the ingredients are fully moistened. Turn the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead it into a round dome shaped loaf about 9 inch diameter.

5

Transfer the dough into the oiled baking tray and score the top with a sharp knife.

6

Bake the loaf until golden brown, about 40 minutes.

7

Once removed from oven, allow soda bread or kulac to cool for 15 minutes in a cooling rack. Cover the bread with a plastic wrap in order to increase shelf life.