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
AuthorJulieadapted from Gifts from the Kitchen (Douglas & McIntyre)
Preheat oven to 375F.
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.
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.
Bake for 1 hour, or until golden and the bread sounds hollow when tapped. Cool on a wire rack.
Ingredients
Directions
Preheat oven to 375F.
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.
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.
Bake for 1 hour, or until golden and the bread sounds hollow when tapped. Cool on a wire rack.
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
This looks great….its yummy
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
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!
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
The dough came out like porridge after carefully following the recipe. In the oven now, I really hope it makes it