Friday, March 14, 2014

Baking for St. Paddy!

Hot_Dawg-smallI know that in Ireland the don't have corned beef and cabbage for St. Paddy's day. And they probably don't have Irish Soda Bread, either; but that's what WE have to celebrate the day, so why wouldn't I want to share our recipes for Irish Soda Bread?

I included this recipe in Booktown Mystery #1, Murder is Binding, and next week it'll go up on the website.  (I'm in the process of putting up ALL the recipes from the Booktown Mysteries.)  But, if you want to try this for Monday (and we sure will be baking it), here's an easy recipe we've put together from a number of recipes. It works well for us!

Ingredients
4 cups all-purpose flour
¼ cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
1½ cups buttermilk
¼ cup corn or canola oil
2 teaspoons caraway seeds
1 cup golden raisins
1 tablespoon milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Foil-line a baking sheet, lightly grease.

In a large bowl, stir the flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt together.  In a separate bowl, beat the eggs, buttermilk, and oil together.  Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and pour in the buttermilk mixture.  Add the caraway seeds and raisins.  Stir until a soft dough forms.

With floured hands, shape the dough into a large ball on a lightly floured board or waxed paper.  With a sharp knife, make an X across the top of the dough.  Place the dough on the prepared baking sheet.  Brush the top with milk.  Bake in the center of the oven until golden brown (30 to 40 minutes).

Serve warm with butter. 

Yum!

How are you celebrating St. Patrick's day?