A Collection of Gourmet and Homemade Recipes

Irish Soda Bread

Servings:

Cooking Time:

Ingredients:

• 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup wheat germ
• 3 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 3 tbsp butter or margarine, chilled
• ¼ cup currants
• ¼ cup golden raisins
• 1 tbsp caraway seeds (optional)
• 1 ¼ cups buttermilk
• 2 tsp milk

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°.
2. In a large bowl, combine flour, wheat germ, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
3. Cut in butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
4. Stir in currants and raisins, add caraway seeds (optional). Add buttermilk and mix until dry ingredients are just moistened.
5. Turn dough onto a floured surface and knead until smooth.
6. Divide dough into 3 equal pieces for the shamrock leaves and 1 small piece for the stem.
7. Shape the 3 pieces into balls, flattening slightly.
8. Place the 3 balls of dough on the prepared sheet. Form dough balls into a shamrock shape, making sure they touch each other. Arrange the remaining piece to look like a stem.
9. Brush dough with milk. Using a floured knife, cut a slash into the top of each leaf about ¼ inch deep.
10. Bake bread until it is golden brown, 40-45 minutes. Insert a wooden skewer or toothpick into the center and if it comes out clean, it is finished.
11. Place bread onto a wire rack to cool slightly.
12. Serve warm.