Deluxe Irish Soda Bread

First, set your raisins to soak. If you do not want raisins and orange peel, or just want plain raisins, just skip this step. In a Ziplock baggie, add the raisins and rum and allow raisins to soak. Set aside. Dice up the orange peel and set aside.(See my TastyKitchen recipe box for my Candied Orange Peel).

Preheat the oven to 375 F. I use 2 pie tins lined with parchment for the loaves. (I have tried free-form but it spreads a little too much for my taste).

I like to pulse my oats in the food processor about 6-8 times. So do that next. Into the food processor bowl add the other dry ingredients (flour through salt on the above list—not the fruit). Pulse a couple times to blend.

Dice your cube of butter and add it into the dry ingredients. Pulse about 6-8 times until it is in small bits in the flour mixture. If you do not use a food processor, use a pastry cutter to cut the butter into the dry ingredients. Pour all this into a large mixing bowl.

Now you can add your raisins, rum and all, and the candied orange peel. Mix thoroughly into the dry ingredients.

Pour the buttermilk in and mix, either with a Danish whisk or wooden spoon. Mix it until it is a whole cohesive mass. Like biscuits and scones, you do not want to over-mix. If it looks too dry, drizzle in more buttermilk until it comes together.

Put some flour onto a counter or cutting board. Flip the dough out onto the floured surface. Knead a few times, just 3 or 4 turns, adding fingers full of flour as needed if it is too sticky. It should be tacky, but not too goopy. Only knead enough to bring it together and give it shape.

Here is where I cut the dough in half to make 2 smaller loaves, and I will tell you why. I have made this many times and it says it makes 1 loaf. But what happens is the outsides get very done and the middle is still doughy. I end up cutting out the middle and end up with an Irish donut! So now I cut the dough in half and shape each into a nice round. Place each round into a parchment lined pie pan. Cut a large cross on top, about 1/2 inch deep or so. I sometimes sprinkle a little flour or sugar over the top. Place both pans onto a cookie sheet and put in the preheated oven.

Set the time for 30 minutes. After that, check the loaves. Make sure a straw inserted in the center comes out clean. It will probably have to go back in for another 5-8 minutes or even more, depending on your oven. I always use an instant read thermometer and bake it until it is approximately 180 F. Usually that means putting it back in the oven a couple times. It should have some browning on top and not look wet in the cross part. Let cool in pans 5 minutes, then set on wire racks. It tastes even better the next day.