Sweet Irish Soda Bread

February 17
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Sweet Irish Soda Bread
Print Recipe
Servings Prep Time
1 Loaf 15 Minutes
Cook Time
45 Minutes
Servings Prep Time
1 Loaf 15 Minutes
Cook Time
45 Minutes
Sweet Irish Soda Bread
Print Recipe
Servings Prep Time
1 Loaf 15 Minutes
Cook Time
45 Minutes
Servings Prep Time
1 Loaf 15 Minutes
Cook Time
45 Minutes
Ingredients
Servings: Loaf
Instructions
  1. In a large bowl, sift together first 5 ingredients. Cut in butter with a pastry knife until the mix resembles coarse crumbs. Add the nutmeg and stir slightly.
  2. In a small bowl mix the buttermilk, egg and almond extract. Add to the dry mix and stir until just moistened.
  3. You may need to knead the dough in the bowl until it's formed enough to turn out onto a floured surface. It may seem crumbly. Knead again on the surface about 12 times until the dough is elastic enough to stay together nicely.
  4. To make a traditional loaf: Form the dough into a round or oval loaf and place on a greased or parchment lined tray. You can also place it in a large, greased loaf pan. Bake in a 375 degree oven until golden and a pick comes out clean. Remove from oven and brush with the water & sugar mix.
  5. To make a clover: Cut off 1/3 of the dough and shape into a 3" stem. Set aside. Shape the remaining dough into a ball and cut into 3 equal wedges. Make a 1" cut into the rounded side of each wedge and separate it slightly creating a heart shape. Place the three wedges on a parchment lined (or greased) baking sheet with the points pressed together to form a shamrock shape. Press the stem into the base. Bake & brush with sugar mix same as above.
  6. To make biscuits: Pat the dough flat enough to cut with a biscuit cutter. Try not to over work the dough. You can also drop by hand if desired. Place on a parchment lined baking sheet and bake at 375 for about 15-20 minutes or until golden. Brush with sugar mix right from the oven.
  7. Can serve any variety warm or cool!
  8. For more traditional bread add 2 Cups raisins and 2 Tablespoons caraway seeds in place of the almond and nutmeg.

Aunt Sarana’s Chocolate Cake

October 20
No comments yet

Aunt Sarana's Chocolate Cake
Print Recipe
This dense cake is similar to a chocolate pound cake. It's lovely with icing but also with fruit and a light glaze. A really versatile dessert to serve for many occasions!
Servings Prep Time
1 loaf cake 15 Minutes
Cook Time
40-45 Minutes
Servings Prep Time
1 loaf cake 15 Minutes
Cook Time
40-45 Minutes
Aunt Sarana's Chocolate Cake
Print Recipe
This dense cake is similar to a chocolate pound cake. It's lovely with icing but also with fruit and a light glaze. A really versatile dessert to serve for many occasions!
Servings Prep Time
1 loaf cake 15 Minutes
Cook Time
40-45 Minutes
Servings Prep Time
1 loaf cake 15 Minutes
Cook Time
40-45 Minutes
Ingredients
Chocolate Cake
Almond Cream Cheese Icing
Servings: loaf cake
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Sift the dry ingredients together to blend well. (not critical if you forget to sift)
  3. Add all other ingredients, adding the hot water mixed with the baking soda last.
  4. Beat or mix with spoon until blended.
  5. Bake in a greased loaf pan 40-45 minutes or until a pick comes out clean. For a 9 x 9 square pan, bake appx. 35 minutes. For 12 cupcakes, bake 15-20 minutes checking often.
  6. Cool completely before frosting.
Almond Cream Cheese Icing
  1. Beat butter and cream cheese until smooth. Add almond extract and then confectioners sugar one cup at a time until you reach the consistency you desire. You can add the teaspoons of milk in between sugar, and add more if icing gets too thick.