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Irish Soda Bread

I know, I’m jumping on the bandwagon. But every year it’s the same: I forget how much I love Irish soda bread, those big, dense, rustic loaves that are really like enormous biscuits, only a bit tweedier with a light, crunchy crust. And I’m a sucker for all bread served in wedges.

See? It’s like a big biscuit. You cut in the butter, or rub it with your fingers. Warm wedges make perfect vehicles for butter and jam in the morning, and when else can you get away with eating biscuits for dinner? I don’t know what all the hubbub over baguettes is about – soda bread is far easier on the teeth, and a wedge balances perfectly on the edge of a bowl of soup, stew or chili.

And takes very well to a handful of grated cheese, if you’re so inclined. Just sayin’.

Irish Soda Bread

AuthorJulie

adapted from Gifts from the Kitchen (Douglas & McIntyre)

Yields1 Serving

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/3 cup butter, grated or cut into pieces
1 1/2 cups buttermilk or plain yogurt, thinned with milk to the consistency of buttermilk

1

Preheat oven to 375F.

2

In a large bowl, stir together the flours, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add the butter and blend (or pulse the mixture in the food processor) until well combined and crumbly. If you like, add grated cheese, herbs, nuts or dried fruit at this point. Make a well in the middle of the flour mixture and add the buttermilk, stirring until blended.

3

Knead a few times as you gather it into a ball. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and cut a deep X on top; brush with a little extra buttermilk.

4

Bake for 1 hour, or until golden and the bread sounds hollow when tapped. Cool on a wire rack.

Category,

Ingredients

 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
 2 tsp baking powder
 1/2 tsp baking soda
 1/2 tsp salt
 1/3 cup butter, grated or cut into pieces
 1 1/2 cups buttermilk or plain yogurt, thinned with milk to the consistency of buttermilk

Directions

1

Preheat oven to 375F.

2

In a large bowl, stir together the flours, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add the butter and blend (or pulse the mixture in the food processor) until well combined and crumbly. If you like, add grated cheese, herbs, nuts or dried fruit at this point. Make a well in the middle of the flour mixture and add the buttermilk, stirring until blended.

3

Knead a few times as you gather it into a ball. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and cut a deep X on top; brush with a little extra buttermilk.

4

Bake for 1 hour, or until golden and the bread sounds hollow when tapped. Cool on a wire rack.

Irish Soda Bread
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7 comments on “Irish Soda Bread

  1. Angie@Echoes of Laughter
    March 15, 2012 at 10:40 pm

    Yum! It looks so good Julie! I feel a sudden urge to drive to Calgary! LOl! It was great meeting you last weekend! Angie xo

  2. Priyanka
    March 16, 2012 at 3:16 am

    This looks great….its yummy

  3. Stephanie
    March 16, 2012 at 11:43 am

    Every year I see so many people making this bread and I always tell myself I’m going to make it.. then forget about it!

    Not this time. I copied, pasted, and printed this recipe and its in my to-do book waiting for me

  4. molly
    March 16, 2012 at 10:18 pm

    tweedier!!

    LOVE that.

    we’ll miss our usual corned beef/cabbage/parsnip feast tomorrow, but i do believe i can squeak in soda bread. merci!

  5. meredith
    March 18, 2012 at 6:46 am

    you are the best… I come back for your brownie bite recipe everytime I need it… and just yesterday I was saying to my husband I should have made soda bread ( his nanna did – she lived till 104 – wish I had her recipes ) anyway — not a shock, you have an soda bread recipe! thanks for making me smile and thanks for the great recipes… have good one!
    MK

  6. Jessica
    March 17, 2015 at 5:44 am

    The dough came out like porridge after carefully following the recipe. In the oven now, I really hope it makes it

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