Best Solar Cooked Irish Soda Bread Recipes

THE BEST IRISH SODA BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line an 8-inch round cake pan with a large sheet of parchment paper, pressing it into the edges of the pan and leaving an overhang on 2 sides (the extra parchment will help you unmold the loaf later).
• Whisk the flour, sugar, baking soda and salt together in a large bowl. Add the butter cubes to the flour mixture and toss to combine. Use a pastry blender or your fingertips to cut or rub the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Stir in the currants and caraway seeds.
• Whisk the buttermilk and egg together in a separate bowl or liquid measuring cup. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour the buttermilk mixture into the center. Use a wooden spoon or rubber spatula to stir the mixture until it starts to come together in a shaggy mass.
• Lightly dust a work surface with flour. Turn the dough mixture out onto the floured surface and knead a few times to bring it together. Shape it into a domed disk. Place the dough into the prepared cake pan and cut a cross about 1/2-inch deep into the surface of the dough with a sharp knife. Bake until the top is puffed and lightly browned and a cake tester comes out clean, 60 to 75 minutes. Remove from the oven and use the parchment overhang to lift the bread from the pan. Place on a wire rack to cool completely. Serve with good Irish butter.

CLASSIC IRISH SODA BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°. Whisk together first 5 ingredients. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. In another bowl, whisk together 1 egg and buttermilk. Add to flour mixture; stir just until moistened. Stir in raisins., Turn onto a lightly floured surface; knead gently 6-8 times. Shape into a 6-1/2-in. round loaf; place on a greased baking sheet. Using a sharp knife, make a shallow cross in top of loaf. Whisk remaining egg; brush over top., Bake until golden brown, 30-35 minutes. Remove from pan to a wire rack. Serve warm.

IRISH SODA BREAD COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Combine dry ingredients in a mixing bowl. With a pastry blender, cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse meal. Stir in currants.
• Mix in beaten egg. Pour in milk and mix with a fork to make a soft dough (may need a little more milk).
• On a floured surface, shape dough into a ball and knead lightly 5 or 6 times. Roll out dough to 1/4 inch thick and cut into squares and triangles with a knife (approximately 2 inches in diameter).
• Bake for 12 to 14 minutes or until slightly browned.

AMAZINGLY EASY IRISH SODA BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease a large baking sheet.
• In a large bowl, mix together flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt and margarine. Stir in 1 cup of buttermilk and egg. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead slightly. Form dough into a round and place on prepared baking sheet. In a small bowl, combine melted butter with 1/4 cup buttermilk; brush loaf with this mixture. Use a sharp knife to cut an 'X' into the top of the loaf.
• Bake in preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean, 45 to 50 minutes. Check for doneness after 30 minutes. You may continue to brush the loaf with the butter mixture while it bakes.

SOLAR COOKED IRISH SODA BREAD

Steps:

• Combine flour, salt, and baking soda in a bowl.
• Add about 1 cup of yogurt into the flour mixture and stir together.
• Transfer on a floured surface and knead.
• Add remaining yogurt as needed until the dough comes together to form a slightly sticky ball.
• Place in a lightly greased solar cooking pan or pot.
• Flatten slightly and use a knife to score an X on top of the dough.
• Brush the top of the dough lightly with water.
• Place inside the solar cooker.
• Solar cook until it is fully cooked and golden brown (about 3 hours).
• Slice and serve with butter or fruit preserves.

SLOW-COOKER IRISH SODA BREAD WITH RAISINS

Steps:

• Mix egg, sour cream, butter and sugar until blended.
• Combine flour, baking soda and salt in large bowl. Add sour cream mixture and raisins; stir just until mixture forms soft dough. Place on lightly floured board; knead 10 times or just until dough is smooth and no longer sticky. (Do not overmix.)
• Shape dough into ball; place in 4-qt. slow cooker sprayed with cooking spray. Use sharp knife to cut 1/4-inch-deep "x" in top of dough. Cover with lid.
• Cook on HIGH 2-3/4 to 3 hours or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
• Turn off slow cooker; remove lid. Let bread stand 10 min. Run knife around edge of slow cooker to loosen bread; transfer bread to wire rack. Cool slightly.

IRISH SODA BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 200C/gas 6/fan 180C and dust a baking sheet with flour. Mix the dry ingredients in a large bowl, then rub in the butter. Pour in the buttermilk and mix it in quickly with a table knife, then bring the dough together very lightly with your fingertips (handle it very, very gently). Now shape it into a flat, round loaf measuring 20cm/8in in diameter.
• Put the loaf on the baking sheet and score a deep cross in the top. (Traditionally, this lets the fairies out, but it also helps the bread to cook through.) Bake for 30-35 minutes until the bottom of the loaf sounds hollow when tapped. If it isn't ready after this time, turn it upside down on the baking sheet and bake for a few minutes more.
• Transfer to a wire rack, cover with a clean tea towel (this keeps the crust nice and soft) and leave to cool. To serve, break into quarters, then break or cut each quarter in half to make 8 wedges or slices - or simply slice across. Eat very fresh.