Saint Patrick's Day Soda Bread Biscuits 🍀🥖

These delightful soda bread biscuits are a fun twist on traditional Irish soda bread, perfect for celebrating Saint Patrick’s Day. They are easy to whip up and feature a lovely blend of classic flavors that embody the spirit of Ireland. Enjoy them warm with butter or as an accompaniment to your favorite Irish stew!

Ingredients

For the biscuits

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1/4 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
• 3/4 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 cup raisins or currants
• Zest of 1 orange (optional)

For topping

• 1 tablespoon melted butter
• A sprinkle of flaky sea salt

Instructions

• Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

• In a large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and sugar.

🥄 Sifting the flour helps to aerate it, ensuring that your biscuits will be light and fluffy!

• Cut in the cold butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

• Stir in the raisins (or currants) and orange zest, if using.

• Pour in the buttermilk and mix just until combined. Be careful not to overmix; the dough should be slightly sticky.

🔄 If the dough feels too sticky, you can add a little bit more flour while kneading but try to avoid adding too much.

• Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead it a few times until it comes together. Pat it into a circle about 1 inch thick.

• Cut the dough into 8 wedges and place them on the prepared baking sheet.

• Brush the tops with melted butter and sprinkle with flaky sea salt.

• Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the biscuits are golden brown and sound hollow when tapped.

• Let them cool slightly on a wire rack, then serve warm with butter or your favorite toppings!

🍽️ You can also enjoy these tasty biscuits with a bit of honey or jam for a sweet twist!

Variations

• Herbed: Mix in 1 tablespoon of finely chopped fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme for a savory twist. 🌿
• Cheesy: Add 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese to the dough for a rich, cheesy flavor!
• Gluten-free: Substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. The texture may vary, but they'll still be delicious! 😊
• Extra Sweet: Add chocolate chips or a drizzle of chocolate on top for a delightful dessert twist!

Enjoy these mouthwatering biscuits as part of your Saint Patrick’s Day feast, or any day you crave a taste of Ireland! 🍀