Sweet Irish soda bread, often referred to as currant cake, is a delightful treat that combines the traditional soda bread method with the sweetness of currants or raisins. This bread is perfect for breakfast, tea time, or as a snack. Here’s a simple recipe to make sweet Irish soda bread with currants:
Sweet Irish Soda Bread (Currant Cake) Recipe
Ingredients
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Dry Ingredients:
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
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Wet Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups buttermilk (or milk with 1 tablespoon vinegar added)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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Add-ins:
- 1 cup currants (or raisins)
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional, such as walnuts or pecans)
Instructions
1. Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan or line it with parchment paper.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients:
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon (if using).
3. Mix the Wet Ingredients:
- In another bowl, combine the buttermilk, melted butter, egg, and vanilla extract. Whisk until well combined.
4. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are okay.
5. Fold in Currants:
- Gently fold in the currants and nuts (if using) until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
6. Bake:
- Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake in the preheated oven for about 40-50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. Cool:
- Once baked, remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
8. Serve:
- Slice and serve the sweet Irish soda bread warm or at room temperature. It’s delicious on its own or with butter, jam, or cream cheese.
Tips
- Storage: Store any leftover bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. It can also be frozen for longer storage.
- Variations: You can substitute currants with other dried fruits like cranberries or chopped dried apricots. You can also add spices like nutmeg or allspice for extra flavor.
- Serving Suggestions: This bread pairs wonderfully with tea or coffee and can be enjoyed as a breakfast item or a sweet snack.
Enjoy your homemade sweet Irish soda bread (currant cake)! It’s a delightful treat that brings a taste of Ireland to your kitchen.