Best Jans Irish Soda Bread Recipes

CHEF JOHN'S IRISH SODA BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone baking mat.
• Whisk all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, oats, baking soda, baking powder, and salt together in a bowl. Cut butter into flour mixture using a pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse meal.
• Beat buttermilk, egg, honey, and orange zest together in a bowl. Pour buttermilk mixture, currants, and raisins into flour mixture; stir with a wooden spoon until a wet, sticky dough comes together.
• Turn dough out onto a well-floured work surface; press dough together into a soft ball of dough and cut into 2 pieces. Form each half into a smooth, round loaf. Transfer to prepared baking sheet and let rest for 15 minutes. Cut a 1/2-inch deep "X" into the top of each loaf with a serrated knife.
• Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown and fragrant, about 45 minutes. Transfer loaves to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

JAN'S IRISH SODA BREAD

Steps:

• Combine the flours, baking powder, salt, baking soda, and brown sugar in a large bowl.
• Mix the egg with the buttermilk and stir into the dry ingredients just to blend.
• Dust the counter with oatmeal flakes.
• Turn out dough and knead about 10 times to cover with flakes and form a round ball.
• Place on buttered cookie sheet, cut a cross lightly on top of loaf and bake at 375 for 45-50 minutes or until it sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
• If you don't want to use rye flour, use whole wheat.
• It works just as well.

DAN'S FAVORITE IRISH SODA BREAD

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• 2. Pour raisins into medium size bowl,cover with water,and microwave on high for 5 minutes. Remove from microwave and set aside to cool. then drain completely. Leave till ready to use.
• 3. Lightly spray a jelly roll size pan,baking sheet or 2 cast iron skillets with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
• 4. Sift flour, sugar,salt, baking powder, baking soda together in a large bowl,& then pour into a food processor that has been fitted with a metal blade. Secure lid of processor.
• 5. Add the cold butter and pulse 8 to 12 times or until mixture resembles course crumbs.
• 6. Add the two beaten eggs and buttermilk,and process until dough comes together about a minute or two. NOTE: I LIKE TO COMBINE BOTH THE BEATEN EGGS AND BUTTERMILK IN ONE LARGE MEASURING CUP, AND THEN POUR INTO FOOD PROCESSOR.
• 7. Dust work surface with the remaining 1 1/2 cups of flour; turn out the dough onto work surface.
• 8. Add the plump raisins and optional caraway seeds if using, knead with floured hands till raisins are incorporated into the dough, and then divide the dough into two equal portions, and shape into two round breads.
• 9. Transfer to prepared baking pan or skillet.Brush loaves with egg wash, till covered completely.Then with a serrated knife cut an X in top of each loaf.
• 10. Bake in preheated 350 degree F oven for 45 to 50 minutes or until top is golden brown and a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean. The bread should sound hallow when tapped on the bottom with a knife. Remove from oven and let cool on wire rack for 15 minutes. Slice and serve warm with additional butter.
• 11. Makes 2 loaves.Just a word of caution if you do not have a large capacity food processor, you may want to make half the recipe at a time, or finish in a mixer with a dough hook. NOTE: Wendy Whipple Rusch likes to use a 9X5 size Loaf Pan for one of the loaves. It's Like Irish Raisin Soda Bread. Electric knife works really well for slicing. Plumping the raisins adds moisture to the bread.

FAVORITE IRISH SODA BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, combine first five ingredients. Stir in raisins. Set aside 1 tablespoon beaten egg. In a bowl, combine buttermilk, oil and remaining eggs; stir into flour mixture just until moistened (dough will be sticky). Transfer to a greased 9-in. round baking pan; brush top with reserved egg., Bake 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool. Cut into wedges.