Traditional Irish Currant Soda Bread Recipes

EASY IRISH SODA BREAD WITH CURRANTS

Steps:

• Sift dry ingredients into a large bowl.
• Add dried currants and mix with a wooden spoon.
• Add the buttermilk and mix with a wooden spoon until it forms a sticky dough. If the dough is overly sticky, add a little more flour.
• Knead dough a few times in the mixing bowl or on a floured surface until it forms a round loaf. It will start out sticky and crumbly but after you knead it a few times, the dough will come together.
• Shape dough into a round and place in a Dutch oven with a lid.
• Cut two criss-cross slices into the top of the bread with a knife (see photo above). Brush the leftover buttermilk over the top of the bread.
• Bake covered for 30 minutes at 425F/215C and then about 15 minutes uncovered. The bread is done when golden brown and the internal temp is 180F/82C.
• Let bread cool on a wire rack. Place a couple pats of butter over the bread and let them melt as the bread cools.

TRADITIONAL IRISH SODA BREAD

Steps:

• Heat oven to 450 degrees. In a large bowl, sift together the flour, salt and baking soda. Make a well in the center and pour in the milk. Using your hand, mix in the flour from the sides of the bowl. The dough should be soft but not wet and sticky.
• Turn the dough out onto a well-floured work surface. Wash and dry your hands. Knead the dough lightly for a few seconds, then pat the dough into a round about 1 1/2 inches thick. Place it on a buttered baking sheet and using a sharp knife, cut a deep cross in the center of the dough reaching out all the way to the sides.
• Bake for 15 minutes, then reduce the oven temperature to 400 degrees, and continue to bake until the top is golden brown and the bottom of the bread sounds hollow when tapped, about 30 minutes longer. Serve warm.

CLASSIC IRISH SODA BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°. Whisk together first 5 ingredients. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. In another bowl, whisk together 1 egg and buttermilk. Add to flour mixture; stir just until moistened. Stir in raisins., Turn onto a lightly floured surface; knead gently 6-8 times. Shape into a 6-1/2-in. round loaf; place on a greased baking sheet. Using a sharp knife, make a shallow cross in top of loaf. Whisk remaining egg; brush over top., Bake until golden brown, 30-35 minutes. Remove from pan to a wire rack. Serve warm.

TRADITIONAL IRISH CURRANT SODA BREAD

Steps:

• Sift flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
• Stir in currants and milk.
• Combine until well blended.
• Dough will be sticky.
• Turn out onto floured board and knead 10 times, until smooth.
• Shape into an 8" round loaf.
• Place on ungreased cookie sheet.
• Cut an"X" with a knife into the top of the loaf.
• Bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes.
• Remove from oven; pour sugar and water glaze over the top and return to oven for an additional 10 minutes.

TRADITIONAL IRISH SODA BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• In a large bowl, combine all dry ingredients and stir together. Add buttermilk and mix with a large spoon (or with your hands, shaping your fingers into a "claw") until the dough comes together. You might need two tablespoons more or less buttermilk depending on the weather. The dough should be moist, but not so sticky it is very hard to handle.
• Shape into a round and place on baking sheet. Cut an X into the top with a sharp knife and bake for about 45 minutes, until dark golden. A toothpick will come out clean.
• Cool on a wire rack for about 10 minutes before slicing.

TRADITIONAL IRISH SODA BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425°F degrees. Place a large cast iron dutch oven with lid into the oven as it preheats.
• In a large bowl sieve and combine all the dry ingredients.
• Add the buttermilk to form a sticky dough. Place on floured surface and lightly knead (too much allows the gas to escape).
• Shape into a round flat to fit into the dutch oven and cut a cross in the top of the dough. Place dough on a large sheet of parchment paper.
• Carefully remove the dutch oven from the preheated oven and remove lid. Gather parchment paper by the edges and lift to place the loaf and parchment together into the dutch oven and cover with the lid.
• Bake for 30 minutes. Remove cover and bake for an additional 15 minutes.
• The bottom of the bread will have a hollow sound when tapped so show it is done.
• Cover the bread in a tea towel and lightly sprinkle water on the cloth to keep the bread moist.