How to make Irish soda bread

By Catalogs Editorial Staff

It’s easy to learn how to make Irish soda bread, sometimes called brown bread.

Here are four recipes that will please even the most discriminating tastes. Note that none of them require yeast.

Irish soda bread I. Makes two loaves.

Ingredients: 1 tsp. salt 3/4 tsp. baking soda 1 c. raisins or currants, rinsed in hot water and patted dry 2 c. buttermilk 1 tbsp. double-acting baking powder 1 tbsp. caraway seeds 4 c. bread flour

Instructions: 1: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. 2: Sift together flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda in a large bowl. 3: Stir in raisins and caraway seeds. 4: Add buttermilk and stir mixture until it forms a dough. 5: Turn dough out onto a well-floured surface. Knead 1 minute. 6: Divide the dough in half. With floured hands, shape each half into a round loaf. 7: Place loaves on a lightly greased baking sheet. 8: Cut an “X” 1/4-inch deep across the top of each loaf with a sharp knife. 9: Bake the loaves for 45 to 55 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. They should be crusty. 10: Transfer loaves to a wire rack and let cool.

Tips:

For a non-Irish twist, try substituting dried cranberries for the raisins or currants. Omit the fruit for a more savory bread.

Irish soda bread II This delicious fruit-studded bread is good 365 days a year, not just on St. Patrick’s Day. It not only is a great way to learn how to make Irish soda bread, it is one of the easiest breads to make.

Ingredients: 4 cups organic gluten flour 1 tablespoon salt 3/4 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 cup raisins or dried currants (optional) 1 1/2 – 2 cups buttermilk (or use regular milk combined with 2 teaspoons white or cider vinegar Directions: 1. Preheat oven to 375 F. Butter a baking sheet or cake pan. 2. In a large bowl, mix together the flour, salt, baking powder, and soda, then stir in the raisins, if desired. Add enough buttermilk to make a soft, kneadable dough. 3. Turn out the dough onto a floured surface and knead it briefly. Shape it into a round loaf and place it on the baking sheet. Cut a cross in the top of the loaf with a single-edged razor blade or a very sharp floured knife. 4. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes. Remove from oven and cool on a rack. Yield: 1 taste tempting loaf. ~Irish Soda Bread III

It’s easy to learn how to make Irish soda bread when you try this recipe for plain Irish soda bread with buttermilk. Make it early in the day, as it tastes best after sitting for a few hours.

Ingredients: 3 cups all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon baking powder 1/3 cup white sugar 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 egg, lightly beaten 2 cups buttermilk 1/4 cup butter, melted

Directions: 1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan. 2. Combine flour, baking powder, sugar, salt and baking soda. Blend egg and buttermilk together, and add all at once to the flour mixture. Mix just until moistened. Stir in butter. Pour into prepared pan. 3. Bake for 65 to 70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the bread comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack. Wrap in foil for several hours, or overnight, for best flavor.

Irish soda bread IV (how to make Irish soda bread another easy way)

Ingredients: 4 cups all-purpose flour 4 tablespoons white sugar 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 tablespoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup margarine, softened 1 cup buttermilk 1 egg 1/4 cup butter, melted 1/4 cup buttermilk

Directions: Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease a large baking sheet. In a large bowl, mix together flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt and margarine. Stir in 1 cup of buttermilk and egg. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead slightly. Form dough into a round and place on prepared baking sheet. In a small bowl, combine melted butter with 1/4 cup buttermilk; brush loaf with this mixture. Use a sharp knife to cut an ‘X’ into the top of the loaf.

Bake in preheated oven for 45 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean, about 30 to 50 minutes. You may continue to brush the loaf with the butter mixture while it bakes. Irish Soda Bread III

It’s easy to learn how to make Irish soda bread when you try this recipe for plain Irish soda bread with buttermilk. Make it early in the day, as it tastes best after sitting for a few hours.

Ingredients: 3 cups all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon baking powder 1/3 cup white sugar 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 egg, lightly beaten 2 cups buttermilk 1/4 cup butter, melted

Irish soda bread IV (how to make Irish soda bread another easy way)