Irish Soda Bread: Trial Run

Today, I is for Irish Soda Bread in our entry for the A to Z Blogging Challenge.  Most days actually involve something Irish in our house.  My girls compete in Irish Dance and take Irish Fiddle lessons, so there is always a lesson to attend or a houseful of Irish music.  The girls have asked why I’ve never made Irish Soda Bread.  They see the pretty round loaves displayed on tables at dance competitions awaiting judging in Soda Bread competitions—but, have never seen a loaf at home.  Why?  I had never tried to make it.  Today, I gave in and stirred up a loaf to create my first kitchen failure of the week.

The basic recipe for Irish Soda Bread is easy. 

4 c. All Purpose Flour

1 tsp. Salt

1 tsp. Baking Soda

14 oz. Buttermilk

The process is for preparing Irish Soda Bread is easy.

Simply sift and mix the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl--add the buttermilk and mix until a sticky dough forms.  Knead a couple of times on a a floured surface and bake in a cake pan.

 

I followed recipe ingredient amounts to the letter—my dough was too dry.  I added a little more buttermilk—my dough was still too dry.  By this point, I had also over-kneaded it.

Not my finest kitchen moment of the week.  It’s edible.  It’s certainly not delicious.  It’s certainly not pretty.  And, it’s really more of an oval lump than a round loaf.

 

Maybe I’ll try again in a few weeks—but, for now, the girls won’t likely be seeing any of my Irish Soda Bread on display tables at dance competitions this summer.  Maybe next year!