Quick Irish Soda Bread Recipes

TRADITIONAL IRISH SODA BREAD

Steps:

• Heat oven to 425 degrees F. Brush a baking sheet with melted butter or spray with non-stick spray.
• Combine dry ingredients in a deep bowl. Gradually stir in 1 cup buttermilk, beating constantly, until dough is firm enough to be gathered into a ball. If dough crumbles, add up to 1/2 cup more buttermilk, 1 tbsp at a time, until it holds together.
• Place on a lightly floured board and pat into an 8-inch flattened round loaf.
• Place loaf on baking sheet and slash a 1/2-inch deep "X" into the top of the dough with a small, sharp knife.
• Bake at 425 degrees F for about 45 minutes, or until the top is golden.
• Serve hot.

QUICK IRISH SODA BREAD

Steps:

• In a bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Cut in butter until crumbly. Stir in buttermilk just until moistened. Fold in raisins. , Knead on a floured surface for 8-10 times. Shape into a 7-in. round loaf; place on a greased baking sheet. With a sharp knife, cut a 1/4-in.-deep cross on top of the loaf. , Bake at 375° for 25-35 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pan to a wire rack. Brush with additional butter. Cool. Dust with additional flour.

IRISH SODA BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• Place the flour, salt, and baking soda in a large bowl and whisk to combine.
• Add about 1 1/4 cups of the buttermilk to the flour mixture, working it into a shaggy dough with clean hands.
• If the dough seems too dry, add more buttermilk until a sticky dough is formed.
• Knead the dough a few times (being careful not to overwork it), then transfer it to a baking sheet and pat it to a thickness of about 1 1/2-inches.
• Score the dough in a criss-cross pattern with a floured knife, and puncture each of the 4 quarters with the tip of the knife.
• Bake the soda bread for 15 minutes at 450 degrees, then turn the oven temperature down to 400 degrees and bake for another 25 minutes.
• Turn the bread upside down and continue to bake at 400 degrees for another 5 minutes.
• Tap the loaf with your fingertips- it should make a hollow sound and be golden brown and crusty.

TRADITIONAL IRISH SODA BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425F.
• Prepare a large baking sheet by spraying with non-stick cooking spray or lining it with parchment paper. You can also use a greased, cast iron skillet.
• Blend the all-purpose flour, sugar, salt, and baking soda in a large bowl.
• Using the large side of a grater, grate the butter into the dry ingredients, stirring often to coat the shreds of butter.
• Blend the egg with the buttermilk.
• Pour into the dry ingredient mixture and stir lightly with a fork.
• Turn the sticky dough out on a lightly floured work surface and gently form into a round that holds together.
• Cut a deep cross or an X in the top.
• Place the dough ball on the prepared sheet pan or cast iron skillet.
• Bake for 40 minutes.
• Remove when a toothpick inserted in center comes out with just a few clinging crumbs and the top is crusty and golden brown.

MUM'S TRADITIONAL IRISH SODA BREAD RECIPE (BROWN BREAD)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425°F (215°C).
• Mix together the flours, salt, and baking soda in a large bowl. Add the butter and rub it into the flour mixture with your fingertips until it resembles bread crumbs.
• In a separate jug, whisk the egg and buttermilk together (see note on how to make Buttermilk below)
• Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour the liquid, 3/4 at once, into the flour mixture.
• Using an open hand bring the flour and liquid together to a loose dough. The dough should be quite soft, but not too sticky. You will know then if it needs more of the liquids. (Flour in different places reacts differently to added liquid).
• Turn onto a floured work surface and gently bring the dough together into a round, about 1 1/2 inches (4cm) thick (8 inches by 8 inches).
• Place on a baking sheet dusted well with flour.
• Score the bread by blessing it with a deep cross on top. Poke a hole in the 4 corners of the bread to release the fairies and stop them from cursing your beautiful bread.
• Glaze the bread with the leftover bit of buttermilk in your jug and dust the top with rolled oats.
• Bake for 15 minutes, then turn down the oven to 400°F (200°C) and bake for 30 minutes more. When done, the loaf will sound slightly hollow when tapped on the bottom. Remove from the baking sheet and place on a wire rack to cool.

AMAZINGLY EASY IRISH SODA BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease a large baking sheet.
• In a large bowl, mix together flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt and margarine. Stir in 1 cup of buttermilk and egg. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead slightly. Form dough into a round and place on prepared baking sheet. In a small bowl, combine melted butter with 1/4 cup buttermilk; brush loaf with this mixture. Use a sharp knife to cut an 'X' into the top of the loaf.
• Bake in preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean, 45 to 50 minutes. Check for doneness after 30 minutes. You may continue to brush the loaf with the butter mixture while it bakes.