I don't remember ever tasting Irish soda bread before, so I was happy that it was on the schedule in time for St. Patrick's Day. For some reason I expected it to be a rather dry, dense bread, but was pleasantly surprised when we tasted it. This recipe is from contributing baker Marion Cunningham.
I was also surprised at how few ingredients make up this bread: flour, baking soda, salt, and buttermilk. The only fat is from the buttermilk. I halved the recipe since I wasn't sure how the bread would turn out. Marion Cunningham suggested adding raisins, currants or other dried fruit for a nontraditional touch to the bread. I decided to add currants and some orange zest. What I really liked about making this is that it is a one bowl recipe and you simply mix the ingredients together with a fork before turning it out on a floured surface to gently knead for a minute or two.
My dough was a little sticky and I had a time trying to slice an "X" on the top of the loaf. I made my dough disc about 4-1/2' wide. I set my oven to 350 degrees since it runs hot and after 25 minutes checked it and it looked almost done, so I left it in for another 10 minutes.
You could smell the orange zest while the loaf was baking and even when it was cooling on the countertop.
We ate some slices when it was still warm from the oven along with a cup of tea. The bread was soft and so tasty with the currants and orange zest. It didn't need butter or anything for added flavor. It was perfect just the way it was. John declared this recipe, "A Keeper!" I wrapped the rest of the loaf tightly in saran wrap because the recipe said it would get hard as a Blarney Stone in a few hours, but that didn't happen to this little loaf. Perhaps it didn't have a chance to get hard because it disappeared by the end of the evening.
Thank you to this week's hosts: Cathy of My Culinary Mission and Carla of Chocolate Moosey. You can check out their bread on their sites and also get the recipe. You can also see what the other bakers' did with their Irish soda bread over at Tuesdays with Dorie.
What a great idea to put orange zest and raisins!!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a great way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day.
ReplyDelete{Yikes! I hit the wrong key and lost my comment, so I hope the first one doesn't clutter up your blog too!) Wasn't this good? I was a little surprised, to be honest. I love the idea of adding orange zest (I did put dried fruit in mine). Interesting..I watched the YouTube video of this episode that someone shared the link for, and the one they tasted was made the night before and wrapped in plastic. So I might try that next time, because it won't always be possible to make this in the morning and I'm going to want to make it often. :)
ReplyDeleteThis bread definitely kept longer than the recipe suggested.
ReplyDeleteYour loaf looks lovely & I am sure the orange zest added a really nice touch.
Elaine, Your bread looks perfect! Love your last photo! Makes me want to reach into my computer and have a slice! I make soda bread all the time! It's so simple and always so delicious! Love the idea of the orange zest…Yum!
ReplyDeleteYour bread looks beautiful. I'll have to try this again, with fruit and zest (and maybe a little bit of liquor.)
ReplyDeleteYour bread turned out picture perfect!
ReplyDeleteOrange zest sounds like a wonderful idea...I'll remember your tip. My dough was sticky too and my finished bread is not a beauty, but it does taste good and I thought it kept well for the next day too...maybe that extra stickiness helped.
ReplyDeleteYour whole loaf looks amazing, especially all the little swirls on top. Great post!
ReplyDeleteYour bread looks delicious! I'll have to try it with dried fruit!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous loaf, Elaine! :)
ReplyDeleteI love that you added orange zest...how yummy! Your loaf looks perfect. I'm still not sure how I was supposed to slice that top!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea to add orange zest, Elaine! I bet that was extremely tasty. Your loaf looks very tender with a delicious crust. Now I wanna make this again. :)
ReplyDeleteyour dough definitely looks wetter than mine did, but it looks like everything turned out beautifully. the orange zest was something i considered and it sounds great!!
ReplyDeleteNice add ins! I love how it looks on those pretty plates, too.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully presented Elaine...
ReplyDelete~ Carmen
http://bakingismyzen.wordpress.com/2012/03/20/twd-baking-with-julia-irish-soda-bread
Mmm.... I'll say it's a keeper too! Looks wonderful - and glad I wasn't the only one with a sticky loaf! Love the tea cup presentation - what a beautiful set! Yes on the orange zest too!
ReplyDeleteA perfect loaf of Irish Soda Bread! Don't you love the scent of orange zest while it's cooking? Beautiful presentation, Elaine!
ReplyDeleteLooks lovely! I bet the smell was wonderful!
ReplyDeleteYour bread is beautiful. I love the idea of orange zest and currants, what a great combination.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea to add the orange zest. Made ours plain and it ws sooo buttery and delicious.
ReplyDeleteSo glad this was a keeper for you! Looks like a spectacular breakfast bread!
ReplyDeleteSoda bread is always a nice treat, and I love the addition of orange peel. No wonder you loved it!
ReplyDeleteI was also surprised at how good this bread was. Beautiful color you got!
ReplyDeleteLooks lovely!
ReplyDeleteeven with the "X" it looks great! :)
ReplyDeleteAlice @ http://acookingmizer.wordpress.com