…or the unabridged title: Mini Maple Shamrock-Shaped Irish Soda Breads with Bourbon-Brown-Sugar-Soaked Raisins.
Full disclosure: I’m 0% Irish, but I will totally get behind any holiday or theme. Maybe it’s from my days in a sorority, where weekly theme parties tested the limits of my accountant-in-training (read: not focused on creativity) brain, or who knows what. I’m already thinking about which green shirt I’ll wear on the 17th (B and I will be on vacation – woohoo! More on that later…) and I’ve been practicing my “TOP OF THE MORNING TO YA” in the best brogue I can muster.
It’s not pretty.
We always make a customary Irish soda bread loaf for St. Patrick’s Day, and it’s always…as expected? Nice to snack on the day of, you better toast it the day after, and maybe French-toast worthy the second day.
So this time around, this Italian is breathing new life into our Irish soda bread.
I know I’ve expressed my love for maple extract before (with these Maple Walnut Muffins and Oatmeal Maple Bars), but I think it’s one of my favorite ingredients to bake with. The kind I use is by Frontier, and is all-natural and alcohol-free (I got it for a few dollars at my local natural foods grocer, but it’s easily found online). I love that it tastes like…maple. Not like too-sweet, artificial maple flavoring, but robust and warm maple deliciousness. I’ve contemplated adding a few drops to my coffee. Is that weird?
Anyway, while it may not be a traditional component to Irish soda bread, the maple extract totally breathes new life into our annual loaf. It complements the plump bourbon/brown sugar-soaked raisins so well, and adds an extra layer of flavor that takes it from being kind of ho-hum to “Oh, I think I’ll continue making this after March 17th”.
I’m a crust girl (as in PLEASE save me the ends of the bread), so for me, mini loaves = more outside/crust area = awesome. The outside is crisp while the inside remains soft and tender. As a (delicious) bonus, the loaves are dotted throughout with raisins so juicy and plump, they just about burst in your mouth when you bite into one.
To make up for the unconventional addition of maple extract, I used a shamrock-shaped cookie cutter to cut out the individual loaves. Told you I can get behind a theme. You can also use any shape cookie cutter (or the rim of a glass), no problem.
I jazzed up the raisins by soaking them in a bourbon and brown sugar mixture to make them super plump and juicy. For simplicity’s sake, you can instead soak raisins in hot water to achieve the same texture if you’d prefer not to use bourbon.
- 2 cups unbleached, all-purpose flour + 1/4 cup for rolling out dough
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar + 2 tbsp, divided
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 2/3 cup low-fat buttermilk
- 5 tbsp butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp maple extract
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 1/4 cup + 1 tbsp bourbon
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- In a large cup, add raisins, bourbon, and 1 tbsp brown sugar. Stir to dissolve brown sugar. Let raisins sit while you prepare the dough (about 15 minutes), making sure that all raisins are submerged.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a baking sheet and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the egg, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 2 tbsp of brown sugar, buttermilk, butter, vanilla extract, and maple extract.
- Add flour mixture to wet ingredients and stir until just combined and dough is essentially in one piece. Drain the liquid from the raisins and stir in.
- Turn out dough onto a floured surface, and sprinkle flour over top of dough. Work in flour to ease some of the stickiness. Repeat until dough is fully workable and doesn't stick to your fingers, but stop before it reaches the point of becoming too dried out and cracks begin to form. With floured hands, press dough into a rectangular shape, about 1 1/2" tall.
- With a floured cookie cutter, cut shapes and place all onto greased baking sheet about 1 1/2" apart. Rework dough scraps until all is used. Sprinkle remaining 2 tbsp of granulated sugar over top of loaves,and lightly press to adhere.
- Bake for 14-16 minutes, or until bottoms and edges are lightly browned and tops are firm to the touch. Transfer to wire rack and let loaves cool completely.
Adapted from Allrecipes
Jessica @ Jessiker Bakes says
These are so cute! I love how themed they are, and I know they’d taste great! I have no Irish in me either but I celebrate this holiday every year!
Tracey says
These are so absolutely adorable! I’m probably less Irish than you are, but that doesn’t stop me from going full-Irish on the 17th! I look forward to it every single year!
Alyssa says
Thanks, Tracey! We’ll be on vacation on St. Patty’s Day so I’m currently pulling out all of my green clothing so I’ll be prepared for any festivities we happen to encounter. I looooove a theme! 🙂
Erin | The Law Student's Wife says
Yay for over-the-top St. Paddy’s celebrating. I love the crust on soda bread too, so I think this is brilliant!
Alyssa says
I so agree – I’ve gotten the reputation for “scalping” homemade breads (aka tearing off all the crust), so mini breads work perfectly around here! More crust for all. 🙂
Chelsea @chelseasmessyapron says
Oh my gosh these are SO cute!!
Consuelo @ Honey & Figs says
Awwh how adorable are these??? I’m a big fan of crusty bread as well, so I’m sure that I’ll eat the whole batch if I happened to bake one. These look so delish! xxxx
Jennifer @ Deliciously Sprinkled says
These are so cute, I love irish soda bread and these are perfect for St. Patricks Day! Pinned 🙂
Alyssa says
Thanks Jennifer! 🙂
Ashley @ My Midwest Table says
I’m like you, 0% Irish! 🙂 But I can get behind any holiday, too. And I gotta know…what sorority? I’m a Chi Omega!
These individual, themed soda breads are so darn cute. And bourbon/brown sugar soaked raisins? You bet! And I’m pretty much obsessed with maple anything right now, so I don’t think I would share these!
Alyssa says
How fun! I’m a Phi Sigma Sigma. 🙂 I keep realizing just how many items in my closet arose from theme parties and other events (definitely my green tops). I’ve weeded out most of the costume-y things, although I think I still have my Chiquita banana headdress tucked away!
And I’m so having a love affair with maple, too! The recipe makes 12 mini loaves and I have to say, they went preeeeetty quickly! Next time I may hide some away…
Ashley @ My Midwest Table says
That’s great! I still get so excited for theme parties, and I don’t think I’ll ever grow out of that! Haha!
Deb says
Cute and tasty, what a winning combination! What a splendid recipe for St Patrick’s Day! I’m sure being Irish is not required to celebrate the holiday! LOL
Alyssa says
Thanks Deb! A different twist on a classic, but it so works! Haha I’ll be Irish just for the day!
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says
I’m 0% Irish too, but it’s still a fun day to celebrate! I live near a town in California named Dublin, and even though they have nothing to do Dublin, Ireland the town goes NUTS on St. Patty’s Day. These little soda bread shamrocks are such a great idea! Sound delicious : )
Alyssa says
I so agree – give me a reason to celebrate and I’m there! And I can’t imagine how crazy Dublin, CA gets on St. Patty’s. I don’t know if I’d rather be there with bells on or steer clear at all costs!
Cate @ Chez CateyLou says
These mini Irish soda breads are SO cute! What a great idea!! And I love that you plumped up the raisins in some borboun – makes these even more Irish 🙂
Alyssa says
Thanks Cate! I couldn’t resist using the bourbon. Definitely rolling with the Irish theme for sure!
Lynette says
Oh my goodness can these be any cuter! As they say everyone is a little Irish on St. Patricks Day.
Alyssa says
Thanks, Lynette. So true!