O Connors Irish Soda Bread Recipes

MARILYN O'REILLY'S IRISH SODA BREAD

Steps:

• Set a rack in the middle level of the oven and preheat to 400 degrees.
• In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, soda and salt and stir well to mix.
• Add the butter and rub in until the butter disappears into the dry ingredients.
• Stir in the caraway seeds if used and the raisins.
• In a small bowl, whisk the buttermilk and egg together and mix into the dough mixture with a rubber spatula.
• Turn the dough out on a floured work surface and fold it over on itself several times, shaping it into a round loaf. Transfer the loaf to one cookie sheet or jelly roll pan covered with parchment or foil and cut a cross in the top. Bake for 15 minutes then reduce heat to 350 and cook for about 15 to 20 minutes more, until well colored and a toothpick plunged into the center emerges clean.
• Cool the soda bread on a rack and serve with plenty of sweet butter and bitter orange marmalade.

IRISH SODA BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
• Combine the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Add the butter and mix on low speed until the butter is mixed into the flour.
• With a fork, lightly beat the buttermilk, egg, and orange zest together in a measuring cup. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the buttermilk mixture to the flour mixture. Combine the currants with 1 tablespoon of flour and mix into the dough. It will be very wet.
• Dump the dough onto a well-floured board and knead it a few times into a round loaf. Place the loaf on the prepared sheet pan and lightly cut an X into the top of the bread with a serrated knife. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until a cake tester comes out clean. When you tap the loaf, it will have a hollow sound.
• Cool on a baking rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.

O' CONNOR'S IRISH SODA BREAD

Steps:

• In mixing bowl, sift together flour, salt, baking powder and soda then mix in sugar.
• Add softened margarine and cut in until consistency of coarse meal.
• Add raisins and mix well. Stir in eggs and buttermilk until just moistened.
• Pour into lightly greased 13x9-inch pan or 2 loaf pans. (She used a large, oiled cast iron skillet).
• Bake at 375°F for 45-50 minutes until golden brown.

MCNAMARA'S IRISH SODA BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Grease an 8 1/2x4 1/2-inch loaf pan.
• Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, 9 tablespoons sugar, and salt in the mixing bowl of a large stand mixer on low speed until combined.
• Mix in butter until thoroughly combined.
• Beat in milk, then eggs, then raisins, incorporating each ingredient well before adding the next.
• Transfer dough to the prepared loaf pan and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon sugar.
• Bake in the preheated oven until bread has risen and the top is golden brown, about 45 minutes. A toothpick or cake tester inserted into the center should come out clean.
• Cool for about 10 minutes before slicing. Best served warm.

THE WORLD'S BEST IRISH SODA BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Sprinkle cornmeal onto a baking sheet or spray with cooking spray.
• Combine 1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, oats, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt together in a large bowl. Cut butter into flour mixture using a pastry blender or your fingers until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
• Stir buttermilk into flour mixture using a fork just until dough is blended; knead 5 times in the bowl. Turn dough onto a floured surface; knead dough using floured hands 8 to 10 times; shape into a 6- to 8-inch loaf.
• Place loaf on the prepared baking sheet and sprinkle about 1 teaspoon flour over loaf. Cut a long 'x' over the top of the loaf using a serrated knife.
• Bake in the preheated oven until bread is golden, sounds hollow when top is tapped, and internal temperature is 190 degrees F (88 degrees C), 45 to 50 minutes.