Nana Katies Irish Soda Bread Recipes

THE BEST IRISH SODA BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line an 8-inch round cake pan with a large sheet of parchment paper, pressing it into the edges of the pan and leaving an overhang on 2 sides (the extra parchment will help you unmold the loaf later).
• Whisk the flour, sugar, baking soda and salt together in a large bowl. Add the butter cubes to the flour mixture and toss to combine. Use a pastry blender or your fingertips to cut or rub the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Stir in the currants and caraway seeds.
• Whisk the buttermilk and egg together in a separate bowl or liquid measuring cup. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour the buttermilk mixture into the center. Use a wooden spoon or rubber spatula to stir the mixture until it starts to come together in a shaggy mass.
• Lightly dust a work surface with flour. Turn the dough mixture out onto the floured surface and knead a few times to bring it together. Shape it into a domed disk. Place the dough into the prepared cake pan and cut a cross about 1/2-inch deep into the surface of the dough with a sharp knife. Bake until the top is puffed and lightly browned and a cake tester comes out clean, 60 to 75 minutes. Remove from the oven and use the parchment overhang to lift the bread from the pan. Place on a wire rack to cool completely. Serve with good Irish 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

NANA KATIE'S IRISH SODA BREAD

Steps:

• Grease two 8" round cake pans and preheat oven to 400
• Mix all ingredients in large bowl. Flour a large breadboard and place dough on board. Knead just a little, about 8 or 10 times. Cut dough in half.
• Form dough into a round shape and place in pans. Brush tooops with melted butter and sprinkle with sugar. I do not put a cross on tops, I leave them plain.
• Place in 400 degree oven for 15 minutes then turn oven too 350 and bake for 25 or 30 minutes. Remove from pans and wrap in tea towel to keep crust from getting too hard.

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 DOT'S IRISH SODA BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease 2 baking sheets.
• Stir together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and sugar in a large bowl until evenly blended. Cut in the butter using a pastry blender or your hands until the mixture resembles coarse cornmeal. Stir in the raisins, currants, and caraway seeds, then make a well in the center and pour in the milk and vinegar. Stir with a spoon until the dry ingredients are moistened.
• Turn the dough out onto a well floured work surface, and knead gently 8 to 10 times. Divide the dough into two balls, and place onto the prepared baking sheets.
• Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes, then reduce heat to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C), and bake until the top of the bread is golden brown, about 15 minutes more.

AUNT KATHY'S IRISH SODA BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease and flour a heavy pan.
• Mix flour, sugar, raisins, caraway seeds, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. Add eggs, buttermilk, and milk to the flour mixture; stir until evenly incorporated. Transfer dough to the prepared pan.
• Bake in preheated oven until when the bread is tapped on top it sounds hollow, about 75 minutes.