Sourdough starter Irish Soda Bread

Irish soda bread
Irish soda bread

Irish soda bread

Sourdough starter Irish Soda Bread

A great way to add some tangy flavor, and use that sourdough discard!
Prep Time 20 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 3/4 Cup unfed (discard) sourdough starter
  • 3/4 Cup regular or 2% milk You can substitute the traditional buttermilk for the milk but still add some lemon juice!
  • 1 TBS lemon juice
  • 5 TBS ice-cold butter, cut into cubes
  • 1/2 Cup raw oatmeal best not to use instant!
  • 2-21/2 TBS sugar
  • 2 tsp baking powder I like the low-sodium kind
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 TBS lemon zest optional but delicious!

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 400F. Put a mat on your baking sheet, or use an 11x8 baking pan, lined with parchment.
  • Combine the starter, milk, lemon juice, egg in a medium bowl.
  • Place all dry ingredients (and lemon zest, if using) in a large bowl, whisk to blend.
  • Cut in the butter with a pastry blender, two knives, or your fingers, until you have a mix of sandy and pea-sized texture.
  • Stir in the wet ingredients from the bowl. Using your hands, combine until you have a shaggy dough. Add a bit more flour or milk, just until the dough comes together. Knead--no more than a minute!--until it's relatively smooth.
  • Shape into a loaf or round. Using a sharp knife, cut deep scores into the dough. This is vital for it to cook properly. You can brush the top of the dough with a bit of milk.
  • Bake for about 45-50 minutes. Check the internal temperature: it should be 190F.
  • Let cool 15-20 minutes on a rack.
  • To store, wrap tightly in foil, and store in the refrigerator.

Notes

This makes a somewhat scone-like bread, due to to the cold butter. It's great with clotted cream, cream cheese, fromage blanc, butter, jam...

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