Best Soda Bread With Dark Chocolate And Candied Orange Peel Recipes

DELUXE IRISH SODA BREAD

Steps:

• 1. First, set your raisins to soak. If you do not want raisins and orange peel, or just want plain raisins, just skip this step. In a Ziploc baggie, put the raisins and rum to soak. Set aside. Dice up the orange peel and set aside (or zest some orange peel if you don't have candied).
• 2. Preheat the oven to 375. I use 2 pie tins lined with parchment for the loaves. (I have tried freeform but it spreads a little too much for my taste).
• 3. I like to pulse my oats in the food processor about 6-8 times. So do that next. To the same bowl, add the other dry ingredients (not the fruit). Pulse a couple of times to blend.
• 4. Dice your cube of butter and add to the dry ingredients. Pulse about 6-8 times until it is small bits in the flour mixture. If you do not use a food processor, use a pastry cutter to cut the butter into the dry ingredients. Pour all this into a large mixing bowl.
• 5. Now you can add your raisins, rum and all, and the candied orange peel. Mix in thoroughly to the dry ingredients.
• 6. Pour the buttermilk in and mix either with a danish whisk or a wooden spoon. Mix it until it is a whole cohesive mass. Like biscuits and scones, you do not want to over mix. If it looks too dry, drizzle in more buttermilk until it comes together. Put some flour onto a counter or cutting board. Flip the dough out onto the floured surface. Knead a few times, just 3 or 4 turns, adding fingers full of flour as needed if it is too sticky. It should be tacky, but not too goopy. Only knead enough to bring it together and give it shape.
• 7. Here is where I cut the dough in half to make 2 smaller loaves and I will tell you why. I have made this many times and it says it makes 1 loaf. But what happens is the outsides get very done and the middle is still doughy. I end up cutting out the middle and end up with an Irish donut! So now I cut the dough in half and shape each into a nice round. Place each round into the parchment-lined pie pan. Cut a large cross on top, about 1/2 inch deep or so. I sometimes sprinkle a little flour or sugar over the top. Place both pans onto a cookie sheet and put them in the preheated oven.
• 8. Set the time for 30 minutes. Check the loaves. Make sure s straw or thin whatever inserted in comes out clean. It will probably have to go back in for another 5-8 minutes or even more, depending on your oven. I always use an instant-read thermometer and bake it until it is approx. 180 degrees. Usually, that means putting it back in the oven a couple of times.
• 9. It should have some browning on top and not look wet in the cross part. Let cool in pans for 5 minutes, then set on wire racks. It tastes even better the next day.

ORANGE CHOCOLATE CHIP BREAD

Steps:

• Place orange zest in a small bowl. Pour juice in a measuring cup; add enough boiling water to measure 1 cup. Pour over orange zest; let stand for 10 minutes. , Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and baking soda. In another bowl, whisk the egg, butter, vanilla and reserved orange mixture. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in chocolate chips. , Pour into a greased 8x4-in. loaf pan. Bake at 350° for 55-65 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack.

DARK CHOCOLATE COVERED CANDIED ORANGE PEELS

Steps:

• Cut oranges in half. Juice the halves.
• "Gut" the orange halves of all pulp & pith.
• Slice the halves into strips or triangles (I do triangles).
• Blanch orange peels so they will retain their colour.
• Candie the orange peels: aproximately 1/2 cup water & 1 cup sugar per 3 oranges; bring all 3 to a boil then immediately reduce heat to a simmer; simmer until all liquid has been absorbed by the oranges; STIR FREQUENTLY!
• Toss the candied orange peels in sugar to lightly coat, then spread in one layer on a baking sheet.
• Bake in a low temperature oven (200 to 250F) until orange peels are sticky but not wet.
• COOL.
• Melt dark chocolate in a double-boiler and proceed to dip the candied orange peels in the chocolate and lay on waxed paper in a cool, dry place to set. A cold cellar is ideal. If you have a garage, there is good in colder climates.
• ***One of the best things about these candies is that you can spread out making them over a week or two! Refrigerate orange peels after each step in an airtight container.
• ***Use oranges with very thick peels. I find sunkist oranges are very good to use for that reason.

CRANBERRY ORANGE IRISH SODA BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a cookie sheet with a silicone mat or a piece of parchment paper, or coat with non-stick spray.
• In a large bowl, mix together the four cups flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt.
• Add the butter and with a pastry blender or your fingers, squeeze and mix the butter in with the flour mixture until the butter is about the size of peas.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, egg, and orange zest.
• Make a well in the middle of the dry ingredients and pour in the wet ingredients. Stir with a wooden spoon just until the dough starts to come together. Add the dried cranberries and stir just until incorporated. The dough will be wet and sticky.
• Spread some of the remaining flour onto a flat surface and turn the dough out onto it. Sprinkle a bit more flour over the bread and begin kneading, adding more flour as you go, until the bread is no longer sticky and you're able to knead it easily.
• Form dough into a round loaf and place on the baking sheet. With a sharp knife, cut an "X" into the top.
• Bake for 45 - 55 minutes, or until golden brown and the bread sounds a little hollow when you knock on it. You can also try using a cake tester just to be sure - when it comes out clean, it's done.
• Let cool for at least 10 minutes, then slice, butter, and serve. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap; keeps at room temperature for up to 3 days.