Fruited Irish Soda Bread I Made It Ii

Fruited Irish Soda Bread

Cosmicmother 5 years ago
~Made for the March 2019's "Irish" recipe Challenge~

Fruited Irish Soda Bread by Midgelet

Last year I made this Simple Daily Irish Soda Bread by Midge, and it was delicious---so I looked forward to trying this Fruited one. The Daily one is probably as close or exactly like the original Irish soda bread recipe. Just soured milk, flour and baking soda. No butter or eggs. This fruited one has some butter cut into the flour and an egg for added richness. I thought it might be more scone like or flaky, but it's moist from the buttermilk and more bread like. And you definitely get that soda bread taste.
For the dried fruit I added dried cranberries and currants. I made my own buttermilk with lemon juice and 2% milk. I added the juice of a small lemon into a glass measuring cup and topped with milk until I got 1-1/2 cups (stirred and microwaved for 30 sec to thicken). Since I was using lemon juice I decided not to waste the peel and added the zest as well. Orange zest would be great too, especially with currants and cranberries.
Midge says to use 2 8" cake pans or make one large loaf. I decided to make two smaller ones, though it doesn't quite fill up the cake pans-- so one large one would work in the cake pan. But I liked the idea of splitting it into two so the second loaf stays fresh. (I think free forming the two loafs on a parchment lined baking sheet would work just as well).
The bake temp and time was spot on for the two loaves. Instead of an egg wash on the loaf, I brushed some extra "Buttermilk" over top (the recipe calls for 1-1/3 to 1-1/2 cups so I saved around a tablespoon to brush on the tops) and marked each loaf with an X in the center.
It's absolutely delicious!! I got a little impatient and cut the loaf while it was still warm, so in the photo you can see where it looks moist in the center --it's because it's still quite warm! I should have let it cool for another hour-- after cooling it's airy throughout but still soft and moist. It's not sweet since there's little sugar, but you get that sweet and tart flavour from the dried cranberries and currants. Perfect with some butter/margarine and a cup of tea or coffee. :)
Fruited Irish Soda Bread
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LindaLMT 5 years ago said:

Beautiful photo Shona! I love soda breads with 'stuff' in them. I make a wheaten version and add nuts, seeds, dried fruit in varying combinations based on what I have. I like them sliced and toasted with butter for breakfast. It's hard to be patient when the intoxicating aroma of bread is baking. LOL!

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DIZ3 5 years ago said:

Gorgeous, gorgeous photos, Cosmicmother! The texture looks perfect! I LOVE Irish soda bread! Even DH, who doesn't like Irish food, enjoys Irish soda bread. What's not to like?

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Cosmicmother 5 years ago said:

Thanks Linda! I like your idea with whole wheat and seeds etc.. I also keep meaning to make an Irish brown bread . Or maybe one with oats, if I can find any of those recipes on here? Must look! :)

Thanks Diz! Right, who wouldn't like this? I love soda breads and scones too, not only because it's delicious but because they are so quick and easy--- and not many dishes or pans to clean up always helps too! Lol ;)

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LindaLMT 5 years ago said:

This is the whole wheat one I make. It’s great too without any dried fruit so you can eat it with a slice of ham and cheese for breakfast. It’s denser and hearty.
https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/150426/perfectly-moist-irish-wheaten-bread/
Now you have me wanting a soda bread, LOL!

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Cosmicmother 5 years ago said:

Thanks for the link Linda! I wonder if you have a soda bread in your oven this morning? ;)
I found some recipes here with whole wheat flour, they all look good!:
Macs Pub Brown Soda Bread
Oatmeal Irish Soda Bread
Irish Soda Bread

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LindaLMT 5 years ago said:

I found the one that is very much like the one I linked. I forgot I reviewed it attached a picture. Soda Bread Wheat
I like the looks of the ones you linked. I smell soda bread … LOL!!

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eastcoaster 5 years ago said:

Beautiful photos Shona, but they always are:)) they look delicious and perfectly formed!!
Thank you for posting these recipes.

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Cosmicmother 5 years ago said:

Thanks Manella! :)

That recipe looks good Linda! If you make it again you should add it to IMI. :)

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LindaLMT 5 years ago said:

I will Shona. Maybe I'll make a small one (half the recipe) before the month ends.

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mommyluvs2cook 5 years ago said:

Wonderful pictures Shona!! I would love to make something like this but I'm not sure how my family would like the dried fruit and I don't want to end up eating the whole thing myself!!

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Cosmicmother 5 years ago said:

Thanks Michelle! You could make one with fruit and one without, lol....:)
A plain one would be great served with soup or stew, they are just like giant biscuits.

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mommyluvs2cook 5 years ago said:

Good idea, giant biscuits sound delicious :-D

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Ladybug_MrsJ 5 years ago said:

Yum!

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