#fruitsodabread #irishrecipes #traditionalrecipes
Irish fruit soda bread, a delightful variation of the classic, combines the hearty texture of traditional soda bread with the sweetness of dried fruits like raisins and currants. This bread offers a perfect balance of tart and sweet, making it a favourite for breakfast or tea
Irish Fruit Soda Bread
Timings.
• Prep Time: 10 mins.
• Cook Time: 45 mins.
• Total Time: 55 mins.
Servings.
This loaf will make ten slices of bread.
Ingredients.
• 3 cups (500g/17 oz) of All-Purpose Flour/Plain Flour.
• ½ cup (100g/3 ½ oz) Caster Sugar.
• 2 tsp Baking Powder.
• 1 tsp Baking Soda/Bicarbonate of Soda.
• ¼ tsp Salt.
• 1 ¼ cup (200g/7oz) Dried Fruit - Raisins or Sultanas.
• 1 cup (250ml/8.45 floz) Buttermilk.
• 3 tbsp (50g/1 ½ oz) Butter, melted.
• 2 Medium Eggs.
Oven Temperatures:
Preheat the oven:
• Fan Oven: 180°C/360°F.
• Oven: 200°C/400°F.
• Gas Mark 6.
Method.
1. Preheat the oven to the above temperatures and sprinkle some flour on a baking tray.
2. Use a medium-sized bowl to mix the flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, baking soda and dried fruit together.
3. In a jug mix together the buttermilk, melted butter and eggs.
4. Make a well in the centre of the dry ingredients and pour in all but a tablespoon of the buttermilk mixture. The remaining mixture is used to glaze the bread.
5. Using your open hand or a spoon, mix the flour and buttermilk mixture gently together until it becomes a loose dough.
6. The dough should be soft, but not too sticky, if it’s sticky add a little extra flour.
7. Turn onto a floured work surface and work the dough gently to bring it together into a round shape with a depth of 1 ½ inches/4 cm.
8. Place on the prepared baking tray and score the bread with a sharp knife by making a deep cross on top and poking a hole in the four corners of the bread.
9. Brush the top all over with the remaining buttermilk mixture.
10. Bake in a preheated oven for 45-50 minutes.
11. When done, the bread will sound slightly hollow when tapped on the bottom.
12. Remove from the tray and place on a wire rack to cool. Best eaten fresh the same day.
13. Mmm, Scrummy!!!
