Top O' The Marnin' to Ye! Tis a Lovely Day to be Irish! Happy Saint Patrick's Day to One and All!

This week I am partaking with Wanda Lee's 22nd, 'Tuesday Tea For Two' blog afternoon tea party @ theplumedpen.blogspot.com

It has been ever-so-long since I blogged!  My, but the time just seems to speed by and before you know it we will be looking at a full-fledged spring here on the West Coast of Canada!  We have alredy had the crocuses, the daffodils are now in bloom, along with the forsythia and the flowering crab trees, and yet, there are mornings when it is still necessary to scrap the frost from the windshield of the car!

But one of those lovely harbingers of Spring is about to be upon us, and I couldn't let Saint Patrick's Day go by without offering you a wonderful recipe for 100% Whole Wheat Irish Soday Bread!  This is an absolutely scrumptious recipe, and so light and delectable, I am seriously conidering serving at tea INSTEAD of my traditional scones.  It is very toothsome, and a slight bit sweet, without being too overpowering andt tastes like heaven when served warm with butter and a wee bit of honey.  Try it and see if you don't agree that it would be a lovely alternative to the sweet and less-healthy scone.  Do let me know your opinion!

100% Whole Wheat Irish Soda Bread

makes two 9 inch round loaves

4 cups whole wheat flour

3 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 c. ( 4 tblsp.) cold butter cut into small squares

1 1/4 c. raisins or currants or a combination of both

1 egg beaten

1 3/4 c. buttermilk ( or 1 1/2 c. plain yogurt and 1/4 c. milk)

1 tablespoon molasses or honey

1.   In a large mixing bowl, combine and whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

2.   Using a pastry blender, cut in the butter until it resembles coarse meal.

3.   Add raisins or currants

4.   Combine liquids seperately and add 1/2 to dry ingredients, mixing thoroughly with a fork before adding the  second half.

5.   When the dough becomes hard to mix with the fork, use your hands to combine the ingredients completely, kneading it right in the bowl until it is smooth. (about three minutes)

6.   Shape the dough into the two balls, and place them on a greased or parchment-lined cookie sheet.  Flatten each ball slightly and cut an  X  about 1/4 inch deep in the top of each loaf.

7.  Bake at 375 degrees F. for  35

Dear Reader, I do hope you will try this recipe as it is suprisingly delicious! Kind of like that wonderful pot of gold at the end of the rainbow!

Hugs and blessings from Scone Queen

Please do leave a comment, I would love to hear from you!