Bucket of Bread: A New Take on a Traditional Irish Classic
Irish Soda Bread is a beloved staple in Irish cuisine, with a rich history and cultural significance that dates back centuries. Traditionally, this bread is round in shape, marked with a cross on top, and made with simple ingredients like flour, baking soda, salt, and buttermilk. However, one company, Bucket of Bread, has decided to take a new approach to this classic recipe.
The Uncommon Shape of Bucket of Bread’s Irish Soda Bread
Bucket of Bread has gone against tradition by using standard loaf pans to give its own personality to Irish Soda Bread. This unique shape sets it apart from the traditional round loaf and is just as delicious. The rectangular shape allows for easy slicing and is perfect for making sandwiches or toasting. Instead of the cross on top, Bucket of Bread’s Irish Soda Bread is scored down the middle, giving it a distinctive look that stands out from the crowd.
The Significance of the Cross on Traditional Irish Soda Bread
The cross on top of the traditional round Irish Soda Bread has religious significance in Ireland. It is believed to represent a blessing on the bread and the household in which it is baked. Some also believe that the cross helps the bread rise more evenly in the oven. Cutting the cross on top can have different meanings depending on who you ask. Some people believe traditional Irish Soda Bread is meant to ward off evil spirits. Others think it is meant to help the bread cook more evenly.
The Importance of Sharing in Irish Culture
Sharing is an important part of Irish culture, and Irish Soda Bread is often shared among family and friends. It is commonly served at meals, such as breakfast or lunch, and is often accompanied by butter, jam, or honey. Sharing this bread is a way to bring people together and create a sense of community.
St. Patrick’s Day and Irish Soda Bread
St. Patrick’s Day is a major holiday in Ireland. Folks celebrate St. Patrick’s Day all over the world. Irish Soda Bread is a popular dish on this day and is often served with a hearty Irish stew or corned beef and cabbage. It is a way to celebrate Irish culture and traditions.
The Superstitions Surrounding Irish Soda Bread
There are several superstitions surrounding the making of Irish Soda Bread. For example, lore states the person who makes the bread should cut a cross on top to let the fairies out. So apparently, this recipe is chalk full of fairies (oops!). Some also believe if you cut the bread before it has cooled completely, it will bring bad luck. Shouldn’t that be with all the homemade bread we make? But, yum…warm fresh baked is the best! Don’t these superstitions just add to the charm and mystique surrounding this beloved bread?
Try Bucket of Bread’s take on Irish Soda Bread
While traditional Irish Soda Bread has a special place in the hearts of many, Bucket of Bread’s unique take on this classic recipe is worth trying. Their rectangular shape and single score down the middle set it apart from the crowd while still delivering the delicious taste and texture that Irish Soda Bread is known for. Whether you’re celebrating St. Patrick’s Day or just looking for a tasty bread to share with friends and family, Bucket of Bread’s Irish Soda Bread is sure to be a hit.
Bucket of Bread's Signature Irish Soda Bread
Ingredients
- 2 bags Your favorite Bucket of Bread Brand Dough White is probably best here.
- 6 Tbsp White Sugar 75 g
- 2 tsp Baking Soda 10 g
- 2 Cups Golden Raisins 280 g
- 1 Egg Large
- 1½ Cups Buttermilk
- 1½ Cups Lukewarm Water 105 is the temp for lukewarm
- 8 Tbsp Unsalted Butter 1 Stick, cold, cut into small cubes
Instructions
Note the pictures of the buckets in this recipe are from a different label and won't match the bucket (or bag) that you're using.
Mix Up and Rise
- Get a Bucket of Bread Brand Baking Mix and let's make some Easy Irish Soda Bread! If you use the large bucket with 2 bags, follow this recipe. If you use the smaller bucket size, divide the rest of the ingredient measurements by 2.
- Add dry ingredients and to include the raisins.
- Add the whisked egg and the buttermilk. (when using a stand mixer, use the bucket to mix wet ingredients (leave out the water for now). Once these are mixed well, slowly add the lukewarm water.
- Keep mixing and add half the cubed butter. Mix some and add the other half.
- Let rise a little longer than the bucket instructions read. The ingredients for this are relatively cool. This took roughly 5 hours to rise to where I was happy. The goal is to get the dough to get to the gallon line on the bucket.
- Tip: Create a comfortable space for the dough to rise. Use the oven without turning on any heat but do turn on only the light. Let you bucket rise in there. Or, another option is your microwave. Just put the bucket in the microwave with a bowl of hot water. Change the water every so often. Both of these provide confined spaces with a small amount of heat to warm the area. I'll write up an advice article covering all this. Be sure to check the library for it and other tips on using Bucket of Bread.
- This bucket was then refrigerated overnight before baking.
To Bake:
Preheat the oven to 450 F. Use handfuls to create smaller buns with a traditional cross cut into the tops, or make a larger hearth style loaf. Bucket of Bread went against tradition and it's normal methods by using 9x5 loaf pans/baking tins.
- To accomplish our version, Bucket of Bread used 1075 g handfuls of risen dough (roughly half the bucket). These were formed simply by folding the under side of the dough until the top was tight.
- Line the pans in parchment. The shaped dough is to go about to the middle of the pan high but touching each end.
- Score the the loaves down the middle.These 2 loaves were baked at the same time along with a small amount of dough on the side as a mid-bake treat (the treat was ready at about 20 mins).
- After 20 mins, check your temperatures. Ideally you want to use a thermometer to check the internal temperature. You want to see at least 190 F. Rotate the pans and check the temperatures again after 20 mins. If the color of your bread is getting too dark at any point and you're still not where you want to be for temperatures, lower the the oven to 375 F (every oven is different) and expect a longer baking time. Both of these loaves took 50 minutes of bake time.
Cool and Serve
- Transfer the loaves to a cooling rack and cool completely.
- Enjoy!
Special Note:
There is raw egg in the dough. Keep it refrigerated and don't keep the dough longer than 3 days before baking.
Video
Notes
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