Description
Delight in these Irish Soda Bread Cookies, a unique twist on traditional soda bread. Featuring a tender crumb with warming notes of cinnamon, raisins, and optional pecans, these cookies are perfect for an afternoon tea or a cozy treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp cinnamon (optional)
Wet Ingredients
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 1 egg
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Add-ins
- ½ cup raisins or currants
- ¼ cup chopped pecans (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and cinnamon if using. This ensures an even distribution of leavening agents and spices throughout the dough.
- Cut in Butter: Add the cold, cubed butter to the dry mixture and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to mix until the dough resembles coarse crumbs. This step helps create a tender texture.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Pour in the buttermilk, crack in the egg, and add the vanilla extract. Stir gently just until the mixture comes together; overmixing can result in tough cookies.
- Fold in Add-ins: Carefully fold in the raisins or currants along with chopped pecans if using, distributing them evenly without overworking the dough.
- Scoop Dough: Use a tablespoon to scoop dough portions onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them approximately 2 inches apart to allow for spreading during baking.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake the cookies for 12-15 minutes or until they turn golden brown on top, indicating they are cooked through.
- Cool: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool slightly on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack or serving. This prevents breaking and enhances texture.
Notes
- For a nuttier flavor, lightly toast the pecans before adding to the dough.
- Substitute raisins with currants or dried cranberries for a different fruity twist.
- Ensure the butter is cold to create a crumbly texture similar to traditional soda bread.
- Do not overmix once wet ingredients are added to maintain cookie tenderness.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
