Irish Soda Bread with Apricots and Orange Zest

Irish Soda Bread with Apricots and Orange Zest cover

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Irish Soda Bread with Apricots and Orange Zest

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Ingredients

Warning0 allergens identified

Irish Soda Bread with Apricots and Orange Zest

2 cups all purpose flourplus 1 tablespoon to toss with the dried apricots

2 cups whole wheat white flour or sub with more all purpose flour

2 tablespoons granulated sugar

1 tsp baking soda

1 ½ teaspoons salt

4 tablespoons cold unsalted buttercut into 1/2" dice

1 ¾ cups cold buttermilk shaken

1 egg

2 tablespoons orange zest

1 cup dried apricotschopped

Instructions

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Instructions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or grease a cast iron skillet.

Add the dry ingredients to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or use your handheld electric mixer. Mix the dry ingredients on low speed.

Add the cold butter cubes and mix on low speed until the butter is completely mixed into the dry ingredients. Use your fingers if necessary to work any large chunks of butter into the flour.

Using a fork, beat the egg, buttermilk, and zest in a measuring cup. Turn the mixer on low speed, and slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing just until combined. Be sure not to over mix as overworking the dough develops gluten and makes the bread tough.

Toss the dried apricots with the reserved tablespoon of flour (this will keep the apricots from sinking), then mix into the dough on low speed just until combined. The dough will be VERY wet!

Pour the dough out onto a well floured surface and sprinkle with flour. Flour your hands, and knead a few times just until it's in the shape of a round loaf. Place on the prepared baking sheet or skillet.

Using a serrated knife, score the bread by cutting an "X" into the center, about 1/2 – 3/4" deep. This ensures that the bread bakes evenly and that steam can escape.

Bake 45-55 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean. Cool completely on a wire rack before slicing. Enjoy!

Nutrition

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Tips & Tricks (5)

Keep Everything Cold ❄️
Use ice-cold buttermilk and cold butter cut into small cubes; cold ingredients create steam pockets that yield a tender crumb and flaky texture rather than a dense loaf.
Don't Overwork the Dough 🙌
Mix just until the dough comes together—overworking develops gluten and creates a tough, dense bread; stop as soon as no dry flour remains.
Chop Apricots Finely 🔪
Dice dried apricots into small pieces and toss them in a bit of flour before folding in to distribute them evenly and prevent them from sinking to the bottom.
Master the Cross Score ✂️
Cut a deep cross into the top of the shaped dough before baking—this traditional technique helps the bread rise evenly and creates an attractive appearance while allowing heat to penetrate the center.
Bloom Orange Zest First 🍊
Zest the orange directly into a small bowl with the sugar and let sit for 1-2 minutes to release essential oils, intensifying the citrus flavor throughout the bread.