Mary Ann Henrys Super Soda Bread Recipes

MARY ANN HENRY'S SUPER SODA BREAD

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees. grease 9 inch baking pan.
• Combine 4 cups flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, raisins (if using), caraway seeds in large bowl.
• Blend eggs, buttermilk and sour cream in small bowl. Stir into flour mixture just until flour is moistened.
• Knead dough in bowl, about 10 strokes, dough will be very sticky. Shape into a ball, place in pan. Cut 4 inch "X", 3/4 inch deep across top of dough. Sprinkle with remaining 1 TB flour.
• Bake in 350 degree oven 65 to 75 minutes until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes, turn bread out on wire rack and cool completely,.

THE BEST IRISH SODA BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line an 8-inch round cake pan with a large sheet of parchment paper, pressing it into the edges of the pan and leaving an overhang on 2 sides (the extra parchment will help you unmold the loaf later).
• Whisk the flour, sugar, baking soda and salt together in a large bowl. Add the butter cubes to the flour mixture and toss to combine. Use a pastry blender or your fingertips to cut or rub the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Stir in the currants and caraway seeds.
• Whisk the buttermilk and egg together in a separate bowl or liquid measuring cup. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour the buttermilk mixture into the center. Use a wooden spoon or rubber spatula to stir the mixture until it starts to come together in a shaggy mass.
• Lightly dust a work surface with flour. Turn the dough mixture out onto the floured surface and knead a few times to bring it together. Shape it into a domed disk. Place the dough into the prepared cake pan and cut a cross about 1/2-inch deep into the surface of the dough with a sharp knife. Bake until the top is puffed and lightly browned and a cake tester comes out clean, 60 to 75 minutes. Remove from the oven and use the parchment overhang to lift the bread from the pan. Place on a wire rack to cool completely. Serve with good Irish butter.