Sweet Irish Soda Bread
Servings Prep Time
1Loaf 15Minutes
Cook Time
45Minutes
Servings Prep Time
1Loaf 15Minutes
Cook Time
45Minutes
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. In a large bowl, sift together first 5 ingredients. Cut in butter with a pastry knife until the mix resembles coarse crumbs. Add the nutmeg and stir slightly.
  2. In a small bowl mix the buttermilk, egg and almond extract. Add to the dry mix and stir until just moistened.
  3. You may need to knead the dough in the bowl until it’s formed enough to turn out onto a floured surface. It may seem crumbly. Knead again on the surface about 12 times until the dough is elastic enough to stay together nicely.
  4. To make a traditional loaf: Form the dough into a round or oval loaf and place on a greased or parchment lined tray. You can also place it in a large, greased loaf pan. Bake in a 375 degree oven until golden and a pick comes out clean. Remove from oven and brush with the water & sugar mix.
  5. To make a clover: Cut off 1/3 of the dough and shape into a 3″ stem. Set aside. Shape the remaining dough into a ball and cut into 3 equal wedges. Make a 1″ cut into the rounded side of each wedge and separate it slightly creating a heart shape. Place the three wedges on a parchment lined (or greased) baking sheet with the points pressed together to form a shamrock shape. Press the stem into the base. Bake & brush with sugar mix same as above.
  6. To make biscuits: Pat the dough flat enough to cut with a biscuit cutter. Try not to over work the dough. You can also drop by hand if desired. Place on a parchment lined baking sheet and bake at 375 for about 15-20 minutes or until golden. Brush with sugar mix right from the oven.
  7. Can serve any variety warm or cool!
  8. For more traditional bread add 2 Cups raisins and 2 Tablespoons caraway seeds in place of the almond and nutmeg.