Irish Soda Bread

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!

Even though I already celebrated a holiday earlier this week, I just couldn’t resist doing something for Saint Patrick’s day.

Thoughts Before Baking:

I received this Betty Crocker Celebrate! cookbook several years ago for Christmas. Since then I have made a few different recipes from it, this being the first I have done for Saint Patrick’s Day.

Now I LOVE soda bread. This was my first time baking it myself.

So I’m not Irish, but I did take an Irish history class and was declared an honorary Irishwoman. So here I go.

Ingredients:

• Shortening
• 2.5 Cups of All-Purpose Flour, plus extra for later
• 2 Tablespoons of Sugar
• 1 Teaspoon of Baking Soda
• 1 Teaspoon of Baking Powder
• 1/2 Teaspoon of Salt
• 3 Tablespoons of Butter
• About 1 Cup of Buttermilk
• Additional Butter, Softened

Directions:

1. Heat Oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Grease cookie sheet with shortening.
3. Mix flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl.
4. Cut in 3 tablespoons of butter, using a pastry blender or crisscrossing two knives, until mixture looks like fine crumbs.
5. Stir in just enough buttermilk so dough leaves the side of the bowl.
6. Place dough on a lightly floured surface, gently roll the dough to coat.
7. Knead 1 to 2 mins, or until smooth.
8. Shape into a round loaf, about 6.5 inches in diameter.
9. Place on the cookie sheet. Cut an X shape about 1/2 inch deep through loaf with floured knife.
10. ***Holiday History*** The traditional X on top represents a cross, which is supposed to keep the devil away.
11. Bake 35-45 mins or until golden brown.
12. Remove from cookie sheet.
13. Brush with additional softened butter.
14. Cool completely, about 30 mins, before cutting.

Thoughts After Baking:

It was sooooooo good!

I wanted to eat the whole thing. 🙂

For more bread recipes, go to Cheesy Pesto Pull Apart Bread

For more Betty Crocker recipes, go to Lemon Meringue Chiffon Cake

For more holiday posts, go to Sour Cream Lemon Pie