Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Irish Soda Bread Rounds

My friend and neighbor, Jeri, brought us a little St. Patrick's Day treat. The kids loved them, so we thought we would share.
Enjoy!


4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
1 T. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1/3 cup shortening
1 cup currants or raisins
1 3/4 cups buttermilk
1 egg

1. Preheat oven to 350. Grease two baking sheets.

2. Sift flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into large bowl. Cut in shortening with pastry blender or two knives until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in currants. Beat buttermilk and egg in medium bowl until well blended. Add buttermilk mixture to flour mixture; stir until mixture forms soft dough that clings together and forms a ball.

3. Turn out dough onto well-floured surface. Knead dough gently 10 to 12 times. shape dough into 8 (3 1/2 inch) rounds; place rounds on prepared baking sheets. Score top of each round with tip of sharp knife, making and "X" about 1 inch long and 1/4 inch deep.

4. Bake 25 to 28 minutes or until toothpick inserted into centers comes out clean. Immediately remove from baking sheets; cool on wire racks.

*** For a sweet crust, combine 1 T. sugar and 1 T. water in small bowl; brush over hot bread.

"May your troubles be less and your blessings be more and nothing but happiness
come through your door." - Irish Blessing

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