You might remember (loyal Vie fan, you) that we sort of fell back in love with Irish Soda Bread last year around this time. What better than a little luck of the Irish to get us in the mood to consume large quantities of sweet, fluffy, currant-filled quick bread with a healthy portion of slathered Kerry Gold butter?
Are you drooling yet? We are.
We thought we’d piggy-back off of last year’s obsession and actually show you how to make these beautiful loaves, only in miniature version and with a fun new butter spread to go along with.
Meet the Mini Irish Soda Bread Scone with Whisky-Currant Butter
Watch our video below (we’ll post once we’ve finished filming) and check out our recipe to learn how to make this at home just in time for Saint Patrick’s Day. Part biscuit, part bread, part dessert…this is a quick bread that you’ll make again and again. And since it only takes about 10 minutes to throw together (plus some extra lovin’ in the oven) this recipe will serve you as a fantastic last-minute breakfast or side for guests who show up unexpectedly.
We hope you love this new version as much as we do! Have a Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!!
Mini Irish Soda Bread Scones with Whiskey-Currant Butter
Prep
Cook
Total
Yield 20 scones
Ingredients
4 cups flour (plus more as needed)
10 Tbsp sugar
3 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp baking soda
4 Tbsp unsalted butter, chilled & cubed
2 1/2-3 cups milk or buttermilk
2 cups currants, divided
2 cups water
1 Tbsp Irish whiskey
1 pkg Kerry Gold Pure Grass-Fed Irish salted butter @ room temperature
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 F.
- In a large bowl, combine all dry ingredients with a whisk, breaking up any lumps.
- Add the cold, cubed butter and break down into pea-sized pieces by mixing it with the flour and rubbing rapidly in between your fingers. *The goal is to crumble the butter without melting it in your warm fingers so move quick and don't linger!
- Add currants and mix to coat them in the flour-butter mixture.
- Add the first 2 1/2 cups milk or buttermilk, mix, and see if more is needed. You're looking for a workable dough that is not too dry and not too watery, just like a biscuit dough that can hold its shape for a few minutes when formed into a ball. If you are worried that you added too much liquid, then throw in a couple of Tablespoons of flour to even things out.
- Knead briefly then spoon into oiled ramekins or muffin molds. Sprinkle with sugar to garnish.
- Using scissors, make a small slit in the top of each scone and place in the oven for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown.
- While scones are baking, make the compound butter. Start by boiling currants with water until they are plump and almost all of the water (save a Tablespoon or two) has been evaporated/boiled off.
- Pour currants with a bit of the residual water into a food processor and pulse until smooth. Add whiskey and pulse again to incorporate. Allow to cool to room temperature, then add the butter and pulse to completely combine and fluff/whip butter. Set aside at room temperature until scones are done baking.
- When the scones have finished baking, remove from the oven and turn out onto a cooling rack. Serve warm with compound butter.
Courses Breakfast
And don’t forget the Corned Beef & Cabbage!
MAIN Corned Beef & Cabbage
How could we write this week’s plan and NOT include this? Make it the night before and reheat or make it in the crock pot during the day. Use leftovers in the choucroute below as well as to make a delicious corned beef hash. I know that’s what I’ll be eating on Saturday morning!
Ingredients
1 3-5 lb pkg corned beef or 3-5 lb corned beef from the meat counter
3 onions, peeled & quartered
4 cloves garlic, left whole
3 organic russet potatoes, left whole
3 organic carrots, left whole
1 head green cabbage, quartered
½ cup Dijon mustard
1/2 cup sour cream
Instructions
- By far the easiest recipe of the week, it’s Boiled Dinner! To a large pot of water add: corned beef with its seasonings, onions & garlic. Cook for 4-6 hours over low heat, making sure to add water as necessary so that meat is always submerged.
- For the final hour of cooking, add potatoes, carrots & cabbage. Cook until tender and test meat by removing and slicing. It should fall apart easily.
- Serve on a platter seasoned with salt & pepper (to taste) and eat with a smear of Dijon mustard and sour cream mixed together if desired.*
By far the easiest recipe of the week, it’s Boiled Dinner! To a large pot of water add: corned beef with its seasonings, onions & garlic. Cook for 4-6 hours over low heat, making sure to add water as necessary so that meat is always submerged. *This can be done in a slow cooker or pressure cooker.For the final hour of cooking, add potatoes, carrots & cabbage. Cook until tender and test meat by removing and slicing. It should fall apart easily.While corned beef is cooking, make the Dijon Cream Sauce by combining in a bowl the Dijon mustard, sour cream, onion powder, dried or fresh diced onions, and dried or fresh chivesServe Corned Beef Dinner on a platter seasoned with salt & pepper (to taste) and top with a smear of the Dijon Cream Sauce!
EXTRA Ingredient list
- 1 3-5 lb pkg corned beef
- 3 onions, peeled & quartered
- 4 cloves garlic, left whole
- 3 organic russet potatoes, left whole
- 3 organic carrots, left whole
- 1 head green cabbage, quartered
- ½ cup Dijon mustard
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 2 Tbsp dried onions or 1/2 yellow onion, diced
- 1/2 cup dried or fresh chives
Notes
*This makes fantastic corned beef hash leftovers, so reserve all ingredients, making sure to discard any leftover liquid as it can be quite fatty.
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