Double Chocolate Irish Soda Bread

Double Chocolate Irish Soda Bread

I’m not sure if anyone Irish will take issue with me for this bread, but I like to tinker. Consider authenticity thrown out the window with this one.

I’ve taken out the raisins and seeds and put in chocolate chips and cocoa. As a result, I’m a very happy girl right now.

The bread itself isn’t sweet (except for the chocolate chips here and there), but there’s a lovely chocolate flavor throughout that makes this quite a wonderful St. Patrick’s Day snack!

Double Chocolate Irish Soda Bread

Now that the Oscars are over, can I get in on the controversy? Hey, better late than never.

Back in the day, I got really excited about the Oscars. Hey, I was a kid. I didn’t overthink the situation. All I knew was that the fashion was fun and that for a few hours, I could watch celebrities hobnobbing and performing. It was just a fun TV night.

Double Chocolate Irish Soda Bread

As you know by now, this year things got really heated. There’s no doubt that equal representation in Hollywood (in the movies themselves or at the awards shows) has not yet been achieved, and I am duly upset about it. But there’s something else about all awards shows that bothers me.

Why do we give actors so much screen time for recognition? I mean, we’re talking endless hours of airtime, media coverage, and money that gets poured into awarding people who have made it in the television and film industry. They’re all talented, so I’m not trying to hate on their craft. But why are they the heroes? Why do they get all those moments in the sun?

Double Chocolate Irish Soda Bread

People risk their lives every day (or actually give up their lives) to save humanity, and I don’t see them being recognized or rewarded. Heck, they’re not even paid that well. Instead, people who pretend to be heroes, who play the part, get all the credit. It’s so much more glamorous to play a firefighter who dies to save others than to actually be one.

The real heroes have been taught not to expect appreciation as a matter of course, and that’s the way it is. But the way we celebrate Hollywood is positively obscene. Do you know about the gift bags that Oscar nominees receive? Some publications have estimated the worth of these gift bags to be around $200,000 each. Really? Is that necessary?

Double Chocolate Irish Soda Bread

And that doesn’t include the expense of the show itself, or the parties, or the fashion, or the salary bumps that the world’s most successful and well-paid actors receive once they win that gold statuette. I’m not all about the money (I did go into teaching, after all), but that’s just insult to injury when you consider how much time and attention is spent on rewarding people in show business.

Okay, rant concluded. Deep breath. Soda bread.

Double Chocolate Irish Soda Bread

Every year on St. Patrick’s, someone brings a soda bread into the office. It’s the standard issue soda bread, which has a lovely flavor and texture and goes perfectly with butter. I enjoy it, to a point. But man…those caraway seeds. Not my thing.

What I’ve done here is probably super not okay with traditional St. Patrick’s Day revelers, so I apologize. But I had to. The bread gets a shot of cocoa and some chocolate chips. And it’s not hard to put together at all. The video is the proof!

This bread is simple to make and accessible. Nothing fancy going on here! Nope, we save that for the Oscars. They can have the overdone display of exclusion and artificial emotion. I’ll keep it real with the baking!

 

Double Chocolate Irish Soda Bread

Ingredients

4 cups flour (plus a bit for dusting while you knead)
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
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. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the flour, cocoa, 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. Alternatively, you can knead in the bowl. I much prefer that method.
  5. Place the dough onto the prepared pan and shape into a circle about six to eight inches in diameter. Using a sharp knife, score a deep X into the top.
  6. Bake for 35-40 minutes. The bread should be firm on top and set in the center. Any jiggling is bad.
  7. Cool. Slice and serve!
http://justaboutbaked.com/double-chocolate-irish-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 28 Comments

  1. Jessica @ Citrus Blossom Bliss

    Mir,

    On behalf of Irish Americans, I say it is more than welcomed to doctor up soda bread with chocolate. Caraway seeds are gross and chocolate chips will always be superior to raisins. There, I said it. I usually make a plain loaf of Irish soda bread, but I don’t see why there can’t be two loaves – one for with dinner and the other as dessert! P.S. You are so right about actors and how overpaid they are. I feel the same way about professional athletes!
    Jessica @ Citrus Blossom Bliss recently posted…4 Ingredient Crispy Baked Chicken TendersMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Oh, good. And yep. Athletes are the same way.

  2. Michelle

    I’m not sure where the caraway seeds thing came from, but I am actually Irish and they’re not in the standard soda bread here! Most recipes I’ve seen have been without caraway seeds (and without raisins, because it’s bread and not cake) and I can’t think of a shop-bought version that includes caraway seeds. Now, obviously I am only seeing a snapshot of the situation and not the entire country’s stance on soda bread. Maybe it’s different around the country but the general perception in Dublin is that the bread should be plain! (And brown)

    So really, I don’t think Irish people will care. After all, we love chocolate, Cadbury’s is something of a religion here! πŸ™‚ (The real stuff, not the stuff with Hershey on the back of the label)

    1. Mir

      I had no idea, Michelle! I just assumed that the ones I saw in bakeries were authentic. Maybe not? I’d be much happier with the plain bread than any seeds in there.
      Anyway, thanks for endorsing the chocolate version. I love Cadbury’s, too!

  3. Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice

    Now this is an irish bread that I will eat! I don’t like raisins or seeds in any baked goods (it’s a texture thing) so this sounds perfect for me! And double the chocolate is always a good thing, too. Wish I had this for breakfast!
    Gayle @ Pumpkin ‘N Spice recently posted…Cilantro Lime Popcorn Shrimp TacosMy Profile

    1. Mir

      I totally get the texture thing. Chocolate is much smoother. πŸ™‚

  4. Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy

    I 100% agree with you about the Oscars and it’s something I have been thinking a lot about. It’s the same with sports stars, as they are given so much praise, but there is so much else going on in the world that people should be focusing their attention on.
    Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy recently posted…Comment on Healthy French Toast by DanniiMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Talk about messed up priorities, right, Dannii? Why do we worship the wrong people?

  5. annie@ciaochowbambina

    I drank my coffee as I watched your video and I had a lovely moment, so thank you for that. As far as Oscars and all – you are right on, sister. That is a sad state of affairs… But this soda bread will help ease my pain. πŸ™‚
    annie@ciaochowbambina recently posted…Cauliflower Cake with Pecorino Romano & Sweet BasilMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Ha! I’m glad you had a moment. I need several of those today!

  6. mira

    Great video! I need to try this bread, love the chocolate in there! I wouldn’t try a plain Irish soda bread recipe, need chocolate! I agree about the Oscars! I did watch them this time though πŸ™‚ But yeah, they do get a lot of air time!
    mira recently posted…Curried Red Lentil Quinoa SoupMy Profile

    1. Mir

      I watched for a bit, but then I stopped. I just wasn’t feeling it this time!

  7. Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust

    Feel free to tinker away my friend. Chocolate makes EVERYTHING better!
    Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust recently posted…Cream Cheese Filled Chocolate Chip MuffinsMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Thanks, Dorothy. Tinkering means CHOCOLATE!

  8. kristy

    Looks amazing! Look forward to reading more!

    1. Mir

      Thanks, Kristy!

  9. Medha @ Whisk & Shout

    You do bread SO well. And I don’t think anyone would object to adding a lil chocolate to something πŸ™‚ Also I so feel you on the awards show thing- I never watch them (or football anymore, after learning more about the industry) because while I love movies and appreciate actors, it just feels a little much to me. That being said, if I were a famous actress, I’d definitely be all about those red carpet events πŸ˜‰
    Medha @ Whisk & Shout recently posted…Green Tea Sesame Soba Noodles with Stir Fried TofuMy Profile

    1. Mir

      You are way too kind, Medha. And yep, a red carpet experience would be cool. But they don’t have awards shows for public school teachers. πŸ™‚

  10. Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom

    Mir, I hear you sister. . regarding the celebs and Hollywood etc etc. . it’s interesting and I don’t know what the answer is but all I can say is that people need entertainment .. and you know, we never had Paparazzi back in the day but now they are everywhere and I think that’s why we see more . . I don’t even know if I’m making any sense but Hollywood and the movie industry is also a business so I think that’s why they get so much screen time . . people also love actors, well most people. . ok, this bread! WOW! this double chocolate Irish soda bread is gorgeous! I can see the texture and richness. . looks amazing!
    Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom recently posted…Giada’s Fish Tostadas with Citrus SalsaMy Profile

    1. Mir

      I mean, you’re right. On one level, I really love all that glitzy Hollywood stuff, and it’s a thriving business. But I just get upset when I see all the need everywhere. I realize the two are not really connected, but there you go. Anyway, thanks, Alice!

  11. Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary

    Omg, giiiirl, I could not agree more with your take on Hollywood and award shows. It’s ridiculous and in a way, quite disgusting. But what’s not disgusting is your genius and ability to tinker a recipe to perfection. πŸ˜‰ LOVE that you put a chocolaty spin on irish soda bread! My husband is going to love this bread! The texture looks fantastic plus he’s going to love those chocolate chips! Pinned! Cheers, Mir!
    Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary recently posted…Moroccan Chicken Cauliflower Couscous Bowls {with Yogurt-Tahini Dressing}My Profile

    1. Mir

      You can leave out the cocoa and do white chocolate chips to make it Chey-tastic!

  12. Stacey @ Bake.Eat.Repeat.

    I’m not Irish, but I think adding chocolate to soda bread is brilliant. I bet this tastes amazing, and I’m kind of wondering why I’ve never made chocolate soda bread now – because chocolate belongs in everything!
    Stacey @ Bake.Eat.Repeat. recently posted…Sweet and Sour MeatballsMy Profile

    1. Mir

      I could not agree with you more, Stacey. Well said!

  13. Manali @ CookWithManali

    who cares if it’s authentic or not, all I know is that everything is better with some chocolate in it. The end! πŸ˜€ looks great!
    Manali @ CookWithManali recently posted…Mango Mint RaitaMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Exactly. Chocolate always, Manali!

  14. Michele @ Alwayzbakin

    I think this is genius. I have to say that I really don’t like regular soda bread. I don’t like caraway seeds OR raisins. Not my thing. Chocolate chips? Def my thing! This is perfect for St. Paddy’s Day.
    Michele @ Alwayzbakin recently posted…Lemon Blueberry Loaf CakeMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Bread is so much better with chocolate!

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