Chocolate Chip Soda Bread

Chocolate Chip Soda Bread

Soda bread has always been a problem.

You see, most soda breads are made with raisins (good) and caraway seeds (bad). I do not like caraway seeds. Something about their flavor, not to mention their hard little texture, really throws me off. I’ve never been a fan, and I’ve tried them plenty.

Seedless rye breads are delicious, though. As are seedless soda breads. Especially when you remove all the usual fillings and put chocolate chips there instead. Sacrilege, you say? Too bad. I’m going to enjoy St. Patrick’s my way!

Chocolate Chip Soda Bread

In fact, I think we need to start a petition to make St. Paddy’s a bigger deal. You know, we should get the day off. And everyone should eat soda bread all day long with their meals. And we should have some kind of green food contest.

Chocolate Chip Soda Bread

March needs holidays. We can even add another one into the end of the month, some kind of spring forward day without the uncomfortable time change. I don’t know about you, but this year’s time change left me feeling like I was slapped with a Nyquil stick.

Chocolate Chip Soda Bread

Lest you think I’m digressing a lot right now, I’m not really. Because along with my amped-up St. Patrick’s Day should come amped-up soda breads. Why stop at chocolate chips? I dare all of my blog baker friends out there to find out what lengths they can climb to with a soda bread and a dream.

Chocolate Chip Soda Bread

The great thing about soda bread is its inherent simplicity. For you yeast fearers out there, soda bread has no yeast. You pretty much mix wet ingredients into dry ingredients to make your dough. Once the dough has been kneaded a bit, all it takes is a little crisscross pattern to send the bread right into the oven.

Chocolate Chip Soda Bread

You can eat this with butter, or not. Peanut butter, if you’re feeling daring. By itself if you realize (as I did) that it’s pretty rich on its own. But definitely without caraway seeds. We want none of those here!

Chocolate Chip Soda Bread

Either way, it’s time to up the party level. We need more to celebrate in March, from the gradually climbing temps to the existence of chocolate chips. Let the holiday madness begin!

 

Chocolate Chip Soda Bread

Ingredients

4 cups flour (plus a bit for dusting while you knead)
1/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup cold butter, cut into small pieces
1 cup chocolate chips
1 and 1/3 cups buttermilk
1 large egg
1 egg yolk

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350. Coat a 9-inch round cake pan with cooking spray. Set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder and baking soda. Using your fingers, a knife or a pastry blender, cut in the butter until crumbs form. Add the chocolate chips.
  3. In a smaller bowl, combine the buttermilk, egg, and egg yolk. Pour the wet mixture into the dry mixture and mix thoroughly.
  4. Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead until the dough is smooth and elastic.
  5. Shape into a circle a bit smaller than your pan. Using a sharp knife, score a deep X into the top.
  6. Place the dough in the prepared pan and bake for 35-40 minutes. The bread should be golden on top but not too dark.
  7. Cool. Slice and serve!
http://justaboutbaked.com/chocolate-chip-soda-bread/

 

Mir

I fulfill many roles in life: wife, mother, teacher, everlasting learner. This site is dedicated to one role that expresses my creativity in ways that I find consistently challenging and rewarding: baker. Inventing new ways to enhance food, especially if that food involves chocolate or peanut butter (or both!), is a passion of mine. I look forward to sharing my ideas with you.

This Post Has 33 Comments

  1. Erin @ Miss Scrambled Egg

    Mir – I’m not a caraway seed fan, either. I do love raisins and actually made soda bread yesterday with some raisins. Chocolate chips though?! Brilliant. I love the idea. I’m going to have to make another one today or tomorrow. I agree with you about March needing more holidays. It’s such a long month especially for teachers!
    Erin @ Miss Scrambled Egg recently posted…Maple Nut SmoothieMy Profile

    1. Mir

      March is the LONGEST month for teachers, Erin! You speak truth. We need a day off, somewhere! I’m glad I’m not the only caraway hater. Just can’t do it…

  2. Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice

    What a fun take on soda bread, Mir! Chocolate chips make everything better. Love the flavor of this!
    Gayle @ Pumpkin ‘N Spice recently posted…One Pan Taco Macaroni and CheeseMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Thanks, Gayle! I love putting chocolate in anything, even bread!

  3. annie@ciaochowbambina

    Yes to a new holiday. Yes to green food contests. Yes to chocolate chips in soda bread. I’m sold!! Awesome recipe, Mir!!
    annie@ciaochowbambina recently posted…Focaccia with Lemony Greens & ParmesanMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Thanks, Annie! I’m glad you’re with me. Food contests are lots of fun!

  4. Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop

    This sounds like the perfect soda bread for breakfast! I always like something just a little sweet.
    Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop recently posted…Homemade Garlic CroutonsMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Me, too, Kathy! Somehow, I always try to incorporate chocolate into breakfast. Some people think that’s weird, but I don’t care!

  5. Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy

    I have never tried soda bread before, but anything with chocolate chips in it has to be a good thing, right?
    Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy recently posted…Comment on Lentil and Feta Salad by David @ SpicedMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Dannii, you live in the UK! You have to try soda bread, right? Try it this way. Much healthier. 😉

  6. mira

    I don’t like caraway seeds either! Raisins- I don’t mind, but this “upgrade” with chocolate chips is a genius idea! Looks delicious! Definitely trying it!
    mira recently posted…Blood Orange Curd Thumbprint CookiesMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Thanks, Mira! I’m glad I’m not alone. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve bitten eagerly into a piece of bread, only to taste those seeds. It’s always a letdown!

  7. Rachelle

    I’m with you on the seeds, the green food contests, the chocolate, and the holiday. You are making me very happy right now that I took some vaca days this week! Chocolate chips in soda bread is genius!
    Rachelle recently posted…Mile High Key Lime PieMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Oooh, enjoy your vacay! That sounds like a great idea. Your own holiday in March!

  8. Stacey @ Bake.Eat.Repeat.

    I love the way you think Mir! Chocolate chips > raisins, always! Although I DO like caraway seeds, I’ll admit. But still, chocolate is better! I made regular old soda bread last night, and now I’m feeling like that was a complete waste when it could have had chocolate in it!
    Stacey @ Bake.Eat.Repeat. recently posted…Black Bean HummusMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Nah, I’m sure it was delicious, Stacey! Some people actually hate the chocolate in their bread. But me, I’ll always go for it.

  9. Jen @ Baked by an Introvert

    Chocolate chips go in anything, don’t they?! I’ve never had caraway seeds but I’ll certainly take the chocolate chips without complaint. Thanks for inspiring us to get creative with our soda bread!
    Jen @ Baked by an Introvert recently posted…Nutella Frosted Chocolate Guinness CupcakesMy Profile

    1. Mir

      I’m so glad you agree with me, Jen! Chocolate chips are such a versatile ingredient. Though I still haven’t been brave enough to get savory with them in my dishes. It’s good to have a goal!

  10. PurpleQueen

    I am more of a don’t like raisins kind of girl. I defnitely am a yeast fearer, so I would love to try this bread with chocolate chips. I’m new to keading, would I be able to use the dough hook on my stand mixer? I also thought about sprinkling the top of the bread with some sugar.

    1. Mir

      You could use the hook, but this is a great practice recipe for kneading if you are not comfortable making bread. It’s no fail, I promise!
      Sprinkling sugar on top might not work as well. Soda bread has a crusty exterior, which means sugar won’t adhere too well.
      Let me know how it turns out!

      1. PurpleQueen

        Thank you!

  11. Mary Frances

    I’ll sign this petition. For reals, I need a holiday right now.
    And you are just genius for switching out chocolate chips for those seed things (does anyone really like those??) Ok. I have to confess. I’ve never had soda bread. BUT if there was a soda bread day I would’ve by now. So get going on that petition, I need soda bread asap! 🙂
    Mary Frances recently posted…REESE’S Sweet and Salty Game Time Snack MixMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Consider the petition is progress, Mary Frances! And you know, definitely try soda bread. Even though it’s not vegan, it’s really good!

  12. Manali @ CookWithManali

    I have never had soda bread but I bet it tastes awesome because you added chocolate chips to it! <3
    Manali @ CookWithManali recently posted…Mint Oreo Cookie CupsMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Anything with chocolate chips, I know. Well, maybe not anything. But most things, Manali!

  13. Cyndi - My Kitchen Craze

    I’ve never made a soda bread before, but I think I need to change that. We don’t celebrate St Patty’s Day either and I am thinking of changing that. I also don’t know about caraway seeds either. I love all those chocolate chips too. 😉
    Cyndi – My Kitchen Craze recently posted…Snickerdoodle BarsMy Profile

    1. Mir

      If there’s dessert involved, I’ll celebrate ANYTHING. Thanks, Cyndi!

  14. Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom

    Mir, I LOVE the chocolate chips here!!!! I’ve never seen a chocolate chip soda bread!!! brilliant and LOVE this! Pinned!!!
    Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom recently posted…Avocado Crostini Three Ways!My Profile

    1. Mir

      Thanks so much, Alice! I will always pick chocolate chips over seeds, or raisins. They’re a lot sexier.

  15. Kelsey @ Snacking Squirrel

    had to save this recipe because im obsessed with soda bread and love the idea of adding chocolate chips to it!
    Kelsey @ Snacking Squirrel recently posted…Crunchy Dill Crispy MinisMy Profile

    1. Mir

      I’m so glad, Kelsey! Let me know if you like it. It’s a little unorthodox, but I’m a fan!

  16. Lisa @ Wine & Glue

    I’m totally on board with chocolate chips instead of caraway seeds! #duh Pinning this awesomeness!
    Lisa @ Wine & Glue recently posted…Samoa FudgeMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Thanks for the pin, Lisa! Seriously, duh. Who wouldn’t rather have chocolate than those little hard seeds?!

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