Every year come March there was one thing that my kids always looked forward to and that was home made Irish Soda Bread. Once St. Patrick’s day was here, they knew that once they got home it would be waiting for them with some fresh churned butter and honey to spread on top.
I have to admit, I always looked forward to it too. I mean, what’s not to like, a fluffy soft bread packed full of sweet raisins, yum!
I have made it a couple of different ways, but I found that by far the best way to bake it is in a cast iron skillet coated with parchment paper. The skillet gives it that nice crispy texture all around the outside, that’s the best part.
Irish Soda Bread dose not contain yeast, instead it uses the reaction between baking soda and buttermilk as a leavening agent. It is easy to make and so much better then store bought.
In a large bowl, whisk together your flour, sugar, salt and baking soda.
Cut butter into small cubes, and using a pastry cutter, work the butter into the flour until it resembles course meal, being careful not to over mix.
Gently mix in the raisins.
Make a well in the center of the flour mixture. Pour the buttermilk and the beaten egg into the well and combine with a wooden spoon until the dough comes together. With floured hands, gently continue kneading the dough until you can form a ball. If the dough is to sticky you can add a bit more flour. Be careful not to over work the dough, over kneading will create a tough dough.
Place a piece of parchment paper in a medium size skillet and spray with cooking spray. Place the dough ball on the parchment paper. With a serrated knife score the top of the dough, about an inch deep in an X shape. Beat an egg in a small bowl, add a tablespoon of milk or cream to thin it out. Brush the top of the dough with the egg wash.
Place in a pre heated oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until golden brown and a skewer inserted in the middle comes out clean. If it start to get too brown durning the cooking process, you can cover it with some foil. Serve with some fresh churned butter and honey and enjoy.
Irish Soda Bread
Ingredients:
- 4 To 4 1/4 Cups of all purpose flour
- 2 Tablespoons sugar
- 1 Teaspoon baking soda
- 1 Teaspoon salt
- 1 Egg beaten
- 1 3/4 Cup buttermilk
- 4 Tablespoons very cold butter cut into small pieces
- 1 Cup of raisins
- 1 Egg beaten
- 1 to 2 Tablespoons of milk or cream
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 425º. Place a piece of parchment paper into a medium cast iron skillet and spray with cooking spray and set aside.
- In a large bowl whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda and salt.
- Using a pastry cutter or clean hands, work the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles course meal. Mix in the raisins.
- Make a well in the center of the flour mixture. Pour the buttermilk and beaten egg into the well and mix with a wooden spoon until dough starts to come together. With floured hands continue kneading the dough until you can form a ball, being cautious not to over mix, which will cause the dough to become tough. If the dough is too sticky, you can add a little more flour.
- Place dough ball into the parchment lined skillet. Using a serrated knife, cut a X shape on the top of the dough, about an inch deep.
- In a small bowl, beat egg and milk or cream until blended. Brush the top of the dough with the egg wash. Place in pre heated oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until golden brown and a skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean. If it starts to get too brown, you can cover with foil until done.
- Serve warm with butter.
- Enjoy!
