Herb Irish Soda Bread Recipes

CHEESE AND HERB IRISH SODA BREAD

Steps:

• Pre-heat the oven to 180ºC/360ºF and line a Dutch oven/cast iron pot with baking/parchment paper.
• In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients.
• Whisk an egg into the buttermilk and pour into the dry ingredients.
• Mix the dough until it just starts to come together (there will be large lumps) then add the cheese and herbs.
• Continue mixing until the dough just comes together. The dough will be sticky and shaggy looking (not too smooth or else it will be over-mixed).
• Transfer to the prepared pot then score a cross onto the top with a sharp knife. Cover with the lid and place in the pre-heated oven.
• Bake for 30-45 minutes or until the bread is cooked through. It will sound hollow when knocked on the bottom and a skewers inserted will come out clean.
• Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving with butter.

GARLIC CHEDDAR HERB IRISH SODA BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425°
• In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, baking soda and sugar.
• Add the cheese and herbs and toss to coat.
• Break the butter up into the flour and using your hands, pinch and mix the flour in until it resembles a grainy texture.
• Make a well in the center and add the egg and buttermilk.
• Use a wooden spoon to stir it together then switch to your hands and knead the dough gently just until it forms a ball.
• Butter a skillet, dutch oven or cookie sheet and place the dough on top.
• Use a knife to cut a cross in the dough, only about 1/2" deep and then bake for 35-40 minutes or until the top is brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped.
• Remove from the oven and serve hot and fresh.

HERB IRISH SODA BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450°F degrees.
• Put vinegar in 2 cup measuring cup and add enough milk to make 14 oz; set aside for 5 minutes.
• In a large bowl mix together dry ingredients.
• Add liquid and mix together slowly by hand until dough forms.
• Turn onto floured surface.
• Gently knead dough to form an 8-inch circle (this should only take about two minutes) dough should be soft and about 2-3 inches thick.
• Place in a baking pan (your option).
• Cut a cross pattern in dough+ (it should go at least halfway into and be entire length and width).
• Place in oven and bake for 20 minutes.
• Reduce oven to 400°F and bake 15-20 minutes longer.
• Remove from oven when golden brown.

HERBED WHITE SODA BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Mix all the dry ingredients together in a large bowl, make a well in the center and pour all of the buttermilk in at once. Using 1 hand, stir in a full circle starting in the center of the bowl working towards the outside of the bowl until all the flour is incorporated. The dough should be soft but not too wet and sticky. When it all comes together, a matter of seconds, turn it out onto a well-floured board. WASH AND DRY YOUR HANDS. Roll dough around gently with floured hands for a second, just enough to tidy it up, flip the dough over. Pat the dough into a round about 1 1/2-inches deep. Sprinkle a little flour onto the center of a baking sheet and place the loaf on top of the flour. Cut a deep cross on it with a sharp knife, prick the four sections to let the fairies out. Let the cuts go over the sides of the bread to make sure of this.
• Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes, then reduce the heat to 400 degrees for 20 minutes, or until just cooked. If you are in doubt, tap the bottom of the bread: if it is cooked it will sound hollow. Cool on a wire rack.