Nana Katies Irish Soda Bread Recipes

IRRESISTIBLE IRISH SODA BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
• Combine flour, baking powder, sugar, salt and baking soda. Blend egg and buttermilk together, and add all at once to the flour mixture. Mix just until moistened. Stir in butter. Pour into prepared pan.
• Bake for 65 to 70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the bread comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack. Wrap in foil for several hours, or overnight, for best flavor.

NANA'S IRISH SODA BREAD WITH WHISKEY SOAKED RAISINS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• In a small saucepan or in the microwave, bring the whiskey and honey to a boil and add the raisins or currants. Cover and off the heat. Set aside and let steep.
• Butter a round 1 1/2 to 2 quart baking dish, set aside.
• Add the flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt together in a large bowl; use a wire whisk to combine.
• In a small bowl, beat the eggs and stir in the sour cream, mixing well to combine.
• Add the egg mixture to the flour mixture, stir well with a wooden spoon (batter will be thick).
• Stir in the whiskey-soaked raisins or currants (along with the whiskey-honey they were steeped in); blend well.
• Turn batter into the prepared baking dish.
• Dust the top with flour and pat the batter evenly in the pan with your hands.
• Use a sharp knife to make a cross on the top.
• Bake for 50 minutes in preheated 350 F oven.
• Remove to a rack and let cool for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a serving dish. Cut into wedges and serve warm with real butter.

NANA KATHLEEN'S IRISH WHITE SODA FRUIT BREAD

Steps:

• 1. Preheat your oven to 425F
• 2. In a large bowl, sieve the flour and bread soda together (make sure you sieve the breadsoda before you sieve it with the flour)
• 3. Add salt, sugar and raisins. mix the ingredients together lifting them above the bowl and letting them fall loosely back into the bowl. Always use your hands and never a mixer.
• 4. Make a well in the centre of the flour. Break the egg into the bottom of a jug and add buttermilk. Pour most of this liquid into the flour. Using your hand with fingers open and stiff mix in a circle drawing in the flour from the sides. Add remainder of buttermilk if necessary. Dough should be soft not too wet
• 5. Mix as quickly as possible to keep dough light and airy, NEVER over mix. When the dough comes together turn it on to to a well floured centre. roll lightly for a few seconds,pat into a round about 2in high
• 6. Place dough on a baking tray dusted with flour. Cut a deep cross in it and prick the four triangles with your knife (to let the fairies out). Put in oven for 15-20 mins then reduce temp to 400f for a further 20-25 mins. when the bread is cooked it will sound hollow when tapped cool on a wire rack
• 7. cut a slice and smother with butter to have with a cup of tea