I used by KitchenAid Stand Up Mixer and the whole thing took 10 minutes at best to prepare. And, it was delicious!
I would recommend turning the oven down just a hair and cooking it for a little longer. I've made this now a couple of times and sometimes the outside seems done, but the inside is doughy. Longer cook time; lower heat. Great recipe!
I didn't rate this recipe as high as "Irresistible Irish Soda bread" simply because there was some kneading involved which was just a bit more difficult than pouring a batter. However, I LOVED this bread recipe. It had a very flaky crust and was so delicious. I will definitely keep this one around.
Yummy! I substituted 1 c. of whole wheat flour for 1 c. of the all-purpose, used butter instead of margarine, AND flattened the ball of dough a bit before baking. It turned out great -- we all loved it and I will be making it often! (Oh, and you probably don't need all that butter and milk to brush on top - a couple of tablespoons would be plenty.)
This is the best soda bread I've ever had. Even better than our beloved local Irish pub. I basted it about 5 times during baking, and each time I sprinkled a little sugar on top too! It was moist and just sweet enough. It even tasted better the next day straight out of the refrigerator! ***Update*** I made this again for St. Pat's and decided to add a touch more salt, 1/3 cup of sugar instead of 1/4 and I added a touch more buttermilk to get it a little more moist. I baked it at 340 degrees for 50 minutes basting it 3 times and each time I sprinkled sugar all over the top again. It was perfect and everyone raved about it! The crust was crunchy and sugary and the inside was moist and sweet! *Update #2* Use Kerrygold Irish butter in place of the margarine if you can find it, it's fantastic!!! Really puts it over the top.
Great recipe. Takes little time to make and was delicious. I added raisins to a loaf and it went fast. Wish I had added raisins to both loaves that I made. Going to make it again for Easter. My daughter can't wait. Does dry out quickly after slicing but makes great toast the next morning.
I made this bread today for our St. Patrick's Day celebration. Wow! It is awesome! It's crunchy on the outside and moist and sweet on the inside. It tastes fabulous. Our guests loved it too. I highly recommend it and plan on making it often. Brushing the butter and buttermilk mixture a few times while baking really added a great crust. Bon Appetite!
The recipe name says it all - really easy. And really good. 1/2 of the loaf is already gone this evening, and the 2nd loaf is in the oven. Wanted an easy Irish Soda Bread to take into work for St.Patrick's Day, and this was it! It's not dry like some recipes are. I cut the softened margarine in with 2 knives and then a pastry cutter, as this was not explained in directions. I added 1/2 cup of raisins in while kneading the dough. Amazingly good.
Even though the texture is a little different than true Irish Soda bread the taste is very close. My Irish grandmother won't give up her recipe to her famous soda bread but this will do in the mean time. Very easy to put together.
This isn't a perfect Irish Soda Bread, as it contains egg, but I PROMISE you that your family will love it. I take care to frequently "baste" it with the milk/butter wash, and I prefer to bake it on a pizza stone. If you don't own one, GET ONE. You can get a good one for under twenty dollars, and you will be amazed at how wonderful some of your favorite baked goods turn out - they will seem so much more "professional". Also, I like to coat the very bottom of the loaf in a bit of cornmeal - helps to keep the loaf from sticking and burning.
This may be the best Irish Soda Bread I've ever made.
