Irish Currant Soda Bread with Buttermilk Glaze
This delightful Irish Currant Soda Bread is a traditional staple that offers a warm and slightly sweet taste, perfect for any festive occasion, especially St. Patrick's Day. The bread is enriched with plump currants that add a lovely burst of flavor and texture. Enjoy it warm with a generous slather of butter alongside your corned beef and cabbage or simply as a standalone treat. This quick bread comes together easily and is sure to become a cherished recipe in your home. Make it as part of your holiday celebrations or for a cozy meal any day of the year!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
flour
3 cups (sifted)
sugar
3 tablespoons
baking soda
1/2 teaspoon
baking powder
1/2 teaspoon
salt
1/2 teaspoon
dry currants
1 cup
buttermilk
1 1/3 cups
sugar (for glaze)
2 tablespoons
hot water (for glaze)
2 tablespoons
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and prepare an ungreased baking sheet.
2
In a large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
3
Gently fold in the dry currants until they are evenly distributed throughout the flour mixture.
4
Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the buttermilk. Stir gently until the mixture comes together to form a sticky dough.
5
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently, about 10 times, just until smooth but do not over-knead.
6
Shape the dough into an approximately 8-inch round loaf and place it on the prepared cookie sheet.
7
Using a sharp knife, make a deep 'X' cut on the top of the loaf to allow for expansion while baking.
8
Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped.
9
While the bread is baking, prepare the glaze by combining 2 tablespoons of sugar with 2 tablespoons of hot water. Stir until the sugar is dissolved.
10
Once removed from the oven, pour the glaze over the hot loaf, allowing it to soak in, and return the bread to the oven for an additional 10 minutes.
11
Remove the bread from the oven and allow it to cool slightly before slicing. Serve warm with butter and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Irish Currant Soda Bread?
Irish Currant Soda Bread is a traditional quick bread enriched with plump currants and finished with a sweet buttermilk-based sugar glaze.
What are the main ingredients for this soda bread?
The main ingredients include 3 cups of sifted flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, dry currants, and 1 1/3 cups of buttermilk.
How should I prepare the flour?
The flour should be sifted together with the sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl.
What temperature should the oven be preheated to?
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) before beginning the preparation.
Do I need to grease the baking sheet?
No, this recipe specifies using an ungreased baking sheet for the bread.
How are the currants added to the mixture?
Gently fold the dry currants into the sifted dry ingredients until they are evenly distributed before adding any liquid.
How do I form the dough?
Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients, pour in the buttermilk, and stir gently until a sticky dough forms.
How much should I knead the dough?
Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead gently about 10 times until smooth, being careful not to over-knead.
What size should the loaf be shaped into?
The dough should be shaped into an approximately 8-inch round loaf.
Why is an X cut into the top of the bread?
A deep 'X' cut is made on top of the loaf using a sharp knife to allow for expansion while the bread is baking.
How long does the bread bake initially?
The bread bakes in the preheated oven for 45 minutes before the glaze is applied.
How can I tell if the soda bread is finished baking?
The bread is done when it is golden brown and emits a hollow sound when tapped.
What ingredients are used for the glaze?
The glaze is made by combining 2 tablespoons of sugar with 2 tablespoons of hot water.
How is the glaze prepared?
Simply stir the sugar into the hot water until the sugar is completely dissolved.
When should I apply the glaze to the bread?
Pour the glaze over the hot loaf immediately after removing it from the oven at the 45-minute mark.
What happens after the glaze is applied?
After glazing, return the bread to the oven for an additional 10 minutes to allow the glaze to soak in.
How should the bread be served?
The bread should be allowed to cool slightly, then sliced and served warm with butter.
Is this a yeast-based bread?
No, this is a quick bread that uses baking soda and baking powder as leavening agents instead of yeast.
What does this bread taste like?
It has a warm and slightly sweet taste with texture provided by plump currants.
Is this recipe good for St. Patrick's Day?
Yes, it is a perfect festive staple for St. Patrick's Day celebrations.
How much buttermilk is needed for the recipe?
The recipe requires 1 1/3 cups of buttermilk.
How much baking soda and baking powder are used?
The recipe uses 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda and 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder.
Can I use raisins instead of currants?
While the recipe calls for currants, raisins are a common substitute for a similar flavor profile.
How much flour is required?
You will need 3 cups of sifted flour for this loaf.
How much salt is in the dough?
The recipe calls for 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
How much sugar is added to the dough mixture?
The dough mixture includes 3 tablespoons of sugar.
What is the total baking time?
The total baking time is 55 minutes: 45 minutes for the initial bake plus 10 minutes after glazing.
What should I eat with this bread?
It is traditionally served with corned beef and cabbage or enjoyed as a standalone treat with butter.
Can I make this bread for any occasion?
Yes, it is suitable for holiday celebrations or as part of a cozy meal any day of the year.
How many currants are used in the bread?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of dry currants.