Quick and Easy Irish Soda Bread
Ireland is not necessarily known for the food, but one standout worth making for St. Patrick's Day (or anytime) is this delicious – and easy – Irish Soda Bread. No yeast, and therefore rising, is required; I whipped the dough up in about 5 minutes, then it bakes in the oven for 45 minutes. This bread has a delicious, soft texture with a crusty exterior, and is lightly sweetened with orange zest and currants. From a recipe by Ina Garten.
Ingredients
- 4 cups flour, plus extra for currants, board and hands for kneading
- 4 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) cold butter, cut into 1/2-inch dice
- 1 3/4 cups cold buttermilk, shaken (or use buttermilk substitute: 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, then fill measuring cup with milk to 1 3/4 cups)
- 1 extra-large egg, lightly beaten
- 1 teaspoon grated orange zest (I used the zest of 2 clementine oranges)
- 1 cup dried currants
Preparation
Pre-heat the oven to 375°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.
Cool on a baking rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.
