Sunday, March 10, 2013

Mini Irish Soda Breads

 

For My St. Patrick's Day tea, I'm having some mini Irish Soda bread and some Irish breakfast tea.  Would you care to join me? 

 
 
 

My shamrock teapot was a gift from my dear daughter, found at TJMaxx, several years ago.  The sweet vase is from a dear blogging friend.  I found the tea mug at TJ Maxx that matches the teapot.

My lucky leprechaun was sent to me from my dear sister, from Columbus, Ohio.  Doesn't he look old and vintage-like?  Of course, he has his pot 'o gold and birdie, named "Lucky".

 
 
 
 
 

Usually for St. Patrick's Day, I make an Irish Soda Bread.  The beautiful plate is from my daughter, which she found at Target, awhile back.  This year I decided to try Ina's recipe and compare it to the Fanny Farmer recipe that I've made in the past.  Ina's recipe calls for orange zest, which I just can't seem to get enough of this year.  I made half the recipe and decided to make 8 mini loaves, which are always fun to serve.    Here's the full recipe version.  

  • 4 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for     currants
  • 4 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch dice
  • 1 3/4 cups cold buttermilk, shaken
  • 1 extra-large egg, lightly beaten
  • 1 teaspoon grated orange zest (I will add     more next time!)
  • 1 cup dried currants

  • Directions

    Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.

    Combine the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Add the butter and mix on low speed until the butter is mixed into the flour.

    With a fork, lightly beat the buttermilk, egg, and orange zest together in a measuring cup. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the buttermilk mixture to the flour mixture. Combine the currants with 1 tablespoon of flour and mix into the dough. It will be very wet.

    Dump the dough onto a well-floured board and knead it a few times into a round loaf. (This dough  is extremely wet!) Place the loaf on the prepared sheet pan and lightly cut an X into the top of the bread with a serrated knife. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until a cake tester comes out clean. When you tap the loaf, it will have a hollow sound. I baked the mini loaves for about 25 minutes. 

    Cool on a baking rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.

    I am sharing this with:
     

                     Thanks for your visit!  xo


    25 comments:

    1. Love the look of your mini loaves! Everyone loves their own special little treat-Happy St. Patty's Week Kitty:@)

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    2. Happy St. Patrick's week, pretty Linda! Loving the mini Irish soda loaves..you can bring hem over to my house and will have them with coffee or tea! Big hugs,
      FABBY

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    3. These look adorable. I love Soda bread, usually bake one, too. Orange zest is a wonderful addition, I think. xo

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    4. Your Irish soda bread looks good, Kitty. I like your teapot, mug, and shamrock plate. I recently made scones with orange zest and chocolate chips. It was a winning combination.
      Blessings, Beth

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    5. Kitty, I've never made Irish soda break. It looks good. Love the shamrock ceramics, especially that little heart shaped plate. Sweet gifts!

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    6. I love the mini loaves, and this is perfect for St. Patrick's Day tea! I love the orange zest too!

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    7. That looks so wonderful. The decorations are beautiful and the food looks so delicious.
      Have a great day.

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    8. These look great, I love Irish soda bread.

      Cynthia

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    9. Hmm, this recipe is pretty much the same as the one for my scones - versatile for sure! I have to bake for a church spring sale next weekend so I'll be pulling out my mini pans. The seniors like smaller portions so I'll be sure to comply. :-)
      I'll probably make more shamrock sugar cookies too - decadent with the icing on.
      Judith

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    10. Love Mr. Leprechaun!.. And your mini Irish soda breads look delicious!! Thanks for sharing your recipe! ~tina

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    11. How cute. What a clever way to serve soda bread. This sounds delicious as well. I hope you have a great day. Blessings...Mary

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    12. Kitty, your mini Irish soda bread looks delicious. Mmm, I can just taste one with some fresh butter and a cup of tea. Thank you for sharing the recipe. When I get back on my feet, I will surely have to give this a try. Happy St. Patrick's Day, my friend!

      Blessings,
      Sandi

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    13. Kitty, you have such a nice collection of shamrock items! Your tea this week is so cute with your Irish man and the delicious looking Irish soda bread. Thanks for the recipe, I'll have to try it when I get back home. It's been years since I've make soda bread! Happy St. Patrick's day to you!
      Hugs...Nancy

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    14. Love the idea of soda bread mini loaves AND the addition of orange zest. This recipe is a keeper.

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    15. Yummy recipe with the orange zest and the soda bread is perfect for St. Patrick's Day. I love all the Irish decorations. The vintage Leprechaun is darling with his bird and pot. The tea will taste even better from your shamrock teapot and mug. I love TJ Maxx for they have so many great finds. The luck of the Irish to you!

      Pam

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    16. I want to try that soda bread recipe! I have been looking for one. Thank you for sharing.
      Have a great week!
      ~Liz

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    17. This is so darling and I Irish soda bread has my mouth watering! Thanks for the recipe! Hope you can stop by the enchanted oven.
      xo,
      Lisa

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    18. I'll give the soda bread a try, Love Mr. Leprechaun, he is vintage for sure, can't say I remember lucky the bird though. Thanks for sharing your St. Patricks post

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    19. I love the idea of the mini Irish Soda breads. They're perfect for tea time. I plan on making some Soda bread before the week is out. Gotta have it for St. Pat's Day! Wishing you a happy holiday! ~ Phyllis

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    20. So sweet and tempting! I love the small size. This may make my tea table for St. Patrick's Day this year!

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    21. What a darling Irish Tea Time and that doll - he's a hoot! Very Cute and thank youn for linking to Friends Sharing Tea!

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    22. Your tea is fantastic and your Iris gentleman is just the cutest. Thanks tons for joining TTT. Hugs, Marty

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    23. All I need is the tiniest mention of bread and I am "there"!! Your soda bread is perfect for St. Pat's and the presentation is lovely. I wish that I could find some of those great pieces at TJ Maxx! I think we just do not get all of the wonderful things that other places do or I go at the wrong times. Thanks for sharing the recipe and I think the orange zest sounds heavenly!

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    24. Kitty,
      I just love your Mini Irish Soda Breads, just perfect to go with your soup. Have a great St. Patrick's Day and thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday!
      Come Back Soon,
      Miz Helen

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    25. I love mini anything! Which recipe do you prefer? I think these look delish!

      xo
      Pat

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