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nana kathleen's irish white soda fruit bread

(2 ratings)
Recipe by
k r
BLUEBELL, AL

This is my family's Irish Soda Bread recipe.It was passed down by my nana from her nana.Every Irish family has their own version which they insist is the best. My great-grandma was the cook for the priest in her town. She was very proud of the fact that he said her soda bread was the best in the county,a fact she never let her family forget.Most soda bread recipes have the same ingredients, the secret lies in the method. We were taught 1 have the oven very hot 2.sieve the bread soda twice 3.never over mix the dough 5. Always mark the dough with a cross to let the fairies out (bad luck)

(2 ratings)
yield 3 serving(s)
prep time 10 Min
cook time 45 Min
method Bake

Ingredients For nana kathleen's irish white soda fruit bread

  • 3 c
    plain white flour
  • 1 tsp
    salt
  • 1 tsp
    bread soda (finely sieved) use a tea-strainer
  • 1 Tbsp
    sugar
  • 1/2 c
    dried raisins
  • 1 1/2 c
    buttermilk ( liquid not powdered)
  • 1
    egg

How To Make nana kathleen's irish white soda fruit bread

  • 1
    Preheat your oven to 425F
  • 2
    In a large bowl, sieve the flour and bread soda together (make sure you sieve the breadsoda before you sieve it with the flour)
  • 3
    Add salt, sugar and raisins. mix the ingredients together lifting them above the bowl and letting them fall loosely back into the bowl. Always use your hands and never a mixer.
  • 4
    Make a well in the centre of the flour. Break the egg into the bottom of a jug and add buttermilk. Pour most of this liquid into the flour. Using your hand with fingers open and stiff mix in a circle drawing in the flour from the sides. Add remainder of buttermilk if necessary. Dough should be soft not too wet
  • 5
    Mix as quickly as possible to keep dough light and airy, NEVER over mix. When the dough comes together turn it on to to a well floured centre. roll lightly for a few seconds,pat into a round about 2in high
  • 6
    Place dough on a baking tray dusted with flour. Cut a deep cross in it and prick the four triangles with your knife (to let the fairies out). Put in oven for 15-20 mins then reduce temp to 400f for a further 20-25 mins. when the bread is cooked it will sound hollow when tapped cool on a wire rack
  • 7
    cut a slice and smother with butter to have with a cup of tea
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