Wednesday 17 September 2008

Hallowe'en Soda Bread


I decided to make some Soda Bread today. Nothing unusual about that as it is a big local speciality and has been made in Irish households for generations. It is so quick and easy to make and is a wonderful recipe to corrupt. Today I took a notion to add apple to it. I think the 'season of mists and mellow fruitfulness' has finally taken hold. That, and the fact I had some cooking apples, lent a hand in this. I also added some cinnamon and then as an afterthought I used maple syrup instead of sugar. The smell of it baking was wonderful. I was amazed at the taste. When I took it out of the oven I could hardly wait to get at it. Warm and dripping with butter I was immensely pleased with my innovation. Such a pity one can't copy and paste taste and smell.

12oz/350gms plain flour
1 teasp bicarbonate of soda
1 cooking apple
1 teasp cinnamon
2 tablespoons maple syrup
Handful of raisins
Approx. 1/2 a pint/300mls Butter Milk
1oz/25gms Butter
1 teasp Bicarbonate of Soda/Baking Soda
1 teasp. salt

Greased and floured round sandwich tin

Oven temp 350F 180.C Gas 4

Peel core and chop the apple.
Cook in a covered saucepan with the butter and cinnamon until very soft and mushy.
In a large bowl mix together all the dry ingredients.
Stir in the apple mixture
Add the maple syrup
Add enough buttermilk to form a soft but easily handled dough. It should not be runny.
Knead lightly and quickly into a round and place in prepared tin.
(It is essential you use light hands)
Cut a deep cross in the bread.


Bake for approx 40 Minutes or until a skewer comes out clean.
Cover in a tea towel while cooling to soften the crust.

Cut a huge piece when taken out of the oven, slather it in butter and enjoy.



17 comments:

Anonymous said...

OMG, Brenda, you are a writing danger!!!!!!!!!!
It look so good, may be with a cup of tea too......
xxx Carlotta

Anna's kitchen table said...

It sounds simply glorious Brenda! Well done you for innovating!
:-)

jaygirl said...

Oh my God that looks so damn good, I can almost smell it. I am definately making this at the weekend.

eatingclubvancouver_js said...

One of the first breads we made was Irish soda bread. A basic one though, without any frills. This looks just yummy!

Sally said...

Yum yum yum. Clever lady.

RecipeGirl said...

You've definitely got FALL on the mind lately! I love your additions of apple and maple.

Rosa's Yummy Yums said...

An original Soda Bread recipe! This bread must taste wonderful!

Cheers,

Rosa

Kerry said...

That bread sounds absolutely amazing.

Thinking About Food said...

It is thanks to you I make these kinds of things more often, the addition of buttermilk just makes all the difference!!! and they are so quick and easy! That variation looks delicious. Wish I could smell and taste it too!

Gloria Baker said...

Hey Granny this is so yummy and nice dear!! xxGloria

Rosie said...

This sounds and looks absolutely sensational Brenda!

Rosie x

Anonymous said...

Breading making is my new hobby, would love to try your lovely recipe : )

Rhyleysgranny said...

Thank you my friends for your kind comments. It is such an easy thing to make. Like a big scone really. I have such a weakness for the flavours of apples cinnamon and maple syrup. I could have eaten it at one sitting:):):)

Janet Ching, so nice to see you here. i wish you luck with your bread making. So very therapeutic

Maria♥ said...

Wow Brenda this sounds and looks so good!

Maria
x

Georgina Ingham | CulinaryTravels said...

OMG Brenda I can almost smell it from here!!! I can't wait to try this out, and to think I got given a huge bag of apples yesterday :)

jaygirl said...

I made this today, and am ashamed to say 3 of us ate the loaf in one sitting......... seriously good. Has your recipe got sultanas in? the picture looks like it has, so I shoved a handful in. really really delicious.

Anonymous said...

You might not be able to cut and paste the taste and smell but your descriptions provide great inspiration for others to try this recipe. I'm putting it on my Must Bake list.