I have a little confession to make. This is the third time I’ve rewritten this post. The first was unbelievably dull. The second a little better. And hopefully this one is absolutely FANTASTIC. See, I’m so tired and frankly just so out of it, that coming up with creative, witty and interesting banter just seems beyond me some days. My eyes burn. When I’m driving in the car I often have to turn around to check to make sure I remembered to bring along my kid. I forget about purchases I made and then spend hours on the phone with the store about a ‘mysterious charge on my credit card’. Please tell me I’m not alone.
I wanted to do a BRIGHT! UPBEAT! post about St. Patrick’s day. Make this bread with your kids! It’s amazing! Actually, do make this bread with your kids. It’s super easy and can be done in under an hour. But you don’t have to. I didn’t. Don’t get me wrong, I would have loved to but.. I didn’t. But, I will some day. Because I truly due love cooking with my son. It’s one thing that we can do together that I know he LOVES. For at least a couple minutes.
I looked at this recipe, which I adapted from a Canadian Living recipe, and thought… hmmm I think I can do better (as the people who founded The Society for the Preservation of Irish Soda Bread are wringing their hands). Anyways, I made it with maple syrup and walnuts and it was lovely with large amounts of butter (hey… I’m breastfeeding). Like a giant scone. It would be a nice one for tea, or in the morning.
The only thing I’ll say is that you may need to add more or less flour. Feel it. If it’s a gloopy mess sticking to your hands add more flour. Won’t stick together? Afraid you’ve overdone it. Maybe add more water (although I have no idea, truthfully, if that’s the correct process).
Is eating Irish Soda Bread how I really want to be celebrating St. Patricks Day? Probably not. I don’t need green beer (and green barf) but I wouldn’t mind having a sane mind, doing something St. Patrick-y together as a family (the parade? a craft?) and feeling super great. But I just tell myself this is hard, it will get better, and I have the rest of my life for it to be better. No?
- 315g all purpose flour
- 113g whole wheat flour
- ½ cup chopped walnuts
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 1½ cups (375ml) buttermilk
- ¼ (60ml) vegetable oil
- ⅓ cup maple syrup
- Preheat oven to 375F. Oil a baking sheet or line with a silpat sheet.
- In a large bowl whisk together the all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, sugar, baking soda, salt and nuts.
- In a small bowl whisk together buttermilk, oil and maple syrup.
- Add to dry ingredients at once and stir together with a fork until a soft dough forms. The dough shouldn't be too sticky so add more flour if needed (either the whole wheat or regular.)
- On a lightly floured surface press dough into a ball and knead lightly ten times. Placed on the greased baking sheet and gently pat out dough into a 15cm (6") circle.
- Sprinkle a bit of flour over the loaf.
- With a sharp knife score a large X on top of the loaf.
- Bake in the centre of the oven for about 45 minutes or until golden and a tester inserted in the centre comes out clean.
ps Want more easy baking? Try this pavlova, these blondies, a sticky toffee pudding or even your own goldfish crackers.
Michelle Little
Writer & Photographer
