A delightful take on the traditional Irish Soda Bread, enhanced with a touch of citrus and a mix of seeds for added flavor and texture.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Preheating ensures even baking and proper rise for your bread.
In a small bowl, soak the raisins and cranberries in warm water or orange juice for 10 minutes, then drain.
Soaking the fruits makes them plump and juicy, enhancing their flavor in the bread.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
Whisking helps to evenly distribute the leavening agents and sugar.
Add the butter and use your fingers to rub it into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
Cold butter works best for this step, creating a tender crumb.
Stir in the buttermilk, egg, and orange zest until just combined.
Avoid overmixing to prevent a dense bread texture.
Fold in the soaked and drained fruits and the seeds.
Gently folding ensures the fruits and seeds are evenly distributed without overworking the dough.
Transfer the dough to a greased cast iron skillet, shaping it into a round loaf.
A cast iron skillet helps achieve a crispy crust.
Score the top with a cross and brush with melted butter.
Scoring allows the bread to expand evenly while baking.
Bake in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes, or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Check the bread at 50 minutes to avoid overbaking.
Let the bread cool slightly before slicing and serving. Enjoy!
Allowing the bread to cool helps it set and makes slicing easier.
Continue in our app for the best experience
