Scottish Soda Bread Recipes

SCOTTISH SHORTBREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°. Cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Add 3-3/4 cups flour; mix well. Turn dough onto a floured surface; knead for 5 minutes, adding enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. , Roll to 1/2-in. thickness. Cut into 3x1-in. strips. Place 1 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Prick with fork. Bake until cookies are lightly browned, 20-25 minutes. 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.

SCOTTISH SODA BREAD

Steps:

• In a large mixing bowl, combine whole wheat flour, bread flour, and 1/4 cup of the rolled oats. Blend in the baking powder, soda, salt, and butter. Make a hole in the center of the mixture and add the buttermilk. Stir until stiff dough forms. Sprinkle remaining 1/4 cup oats on bread board. Turn dough out onto board and knead for just 1 minute, shaping it as you go into a perfect round loaf. There should be a rather thick coating of the extra oats on the outside of the loaf.
• Cover baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it. Place loaf seam side down on top of baking sheet. With sharp knife, make a cross slash in the top of the loaf about 1/2 inch deep. Preheat oven to 375°F Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until loaf sounds hollow when tapped. Transfer to rack and brush generously with melted butter. For good slicing, cool for at least 4 hours. Makes 1 loaf.
• Great Whole Grain Breads B. Ojakangas.

IRISH AND SCOTTISH GAELIC SODA BREAD SCONES

Steps:

• Pre-heat the oven to 220C/450F.
• Mix all the dry ingredients together in a large bowl. Make a well in the centre and add the smaller quantity of buttermilk, 400ml or 14 fluid ozs.
• Mix by hand, adding more buttermilk if necessary, until you have a soft but not sticky dough.
• Turn out on to a floured surface and knead lightly - just enough to shape the dough into a round. Flatten it to about 2.5cm/1in thick and cut out 8-10 scones, using a 7.5cm/3in plain cutter.
• Put on to a floured baking tray and bake for about 20 minutes, until well risen and golden. Leave to cool slightly on a wire rack.
• Serve with soup, stews or traditional breakfasts.