St. Patrick’s Day New Zealand style? Yes, there is a large community of Irish settlers in the country. They bought with them their wonderful culture and traditions. Here are is a recipe for Irish Soda Bread with a sweet little twist.

For the Soda Bread:

Ingredients:

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons of New Zealand Multiflora Honey (depending on how sweet you like the bread)
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 1/2 teaspoons BioGro Certified Pacific Sea Salt
• 4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 1 3/4 cups cold buttermilk, shaken
• 1 extra-large egg, lightly beaten
• 1 cup dried cranberries or raisins

Preparation:

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.

Combine flour, Multiflora Honey, baking soda, and Pacific Sea Salt in an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Add the butter and mix on low speed until the butter is mixed into the flour.

Lightly beat the buttermilk and egg together in a bowl. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the buttermilk mixture to the flour mixture. Combine the currants with 1 tablespoon of flour and mix into the dough. The dough should be very wet.

Place the dough onto a well-floured board and knead it a few times. Shape into a round loaf. Place on the prepared sheet pan and lightly cut an X onto the top of the bread with a serrated knife. Bake until a cake tester (toothpick  or fork works great) comes out clean (approx. 45 min). The loaf should have a hollow sound when you tap it. Cool on a baking rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.

For the Manuka Honey Butter:

Ingredients:

• ½ cup butter
• ⅓ cup Manuka Honey

Preparation:

Cream ingredients in a stand mixer or hand mixer.

Chill and serve when ready.

Happy St Paddy’s!

Enjoy.