ST. PATRICK'S DAY DESSERTS

This year is going by fast!  I have been so busy that March crept up on me before I realized it.  I am working on a huge project that I can’t wait to announce in a few weeks, but in the mean time, let’s eat!

Of course, for our monthly recipe, I have chosen desserts in honor of St. Patrick’s Day coming up on March 17^th.   All three desserts are centuries old but the taste are just as popular today.   Try one of these today  and celebrate Erin go Braugh!

Irish Soda Bread

2 cups all purpose flour

2 tbsp brown sugar

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

½ tsp salt

3 tbsp butter

2 eggs

¾ cup buttermilk 

1/3 cup raisins

In a large bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt.  Cut in butter until crumbly.  In a small bowl, whisk 1 egg and buttermilk.  Stir into flour mixture just until moistened.  Fold in raisins.

Knead on a floured surface for 1 minute.  Shape into a round loaf; place on a greased baking sheet.  Cut in a ¼ inch deep cross in top of loaf.  Bear remaining egg; brush over loaf. 

Bake at 375 degrees for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown.  Yield: 6-8 servings.

http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/irish-soda-bread

Irish Fluffy Lemon Pudding

2 tbsp butter

¼ cup berry sugar (or Castor sugar)

2 lemons

 2 eggs

½ cup flour

1¼ cups milk

Cream butter.  Add sugar and beat well.  Grate the rind of the lemons and squeeze out the juice, strain, set aside.  

Separate the eggs, add one yolk at a time to the butter/sugar mixture beating well between.  Stir in the flour and gradually add the lemon juice and rind.

Add milk.  Whisk the egg whites stiff and fold gently into the batter.

Place into a pie plate and bake in a 350 degree oven for approximately 40 minutes. 

Serve with whipped cream.

http://www.food.com/recipe/irish-fluffy-lemon-pudding-20889

Irish Whiskey Cookies

1 cup butter, softened

1 cup granulated sugar

3 large eggs

2 cups all purpose flour

¼ cup Irish whiskey

¼ cup candied citron, chopped

¼ cup golden raisins, blanched and chopped

¼ cip almonds, chopped

Preheat oven to 375 degrees and grease two cookie sheets; set aside.  In a small mixing bowl, cream together the butter and the sugar.  Beat in the eggs until well blended.  Add the flour and Irish whiskey, and beat the dough until smooth. 

Add the fruit and nuts and mix well.  Drop cookie dough from a tablespoon onto the prepared cookie sheets.  Bake each sheet of cookies for 8-10 minutes.

Remove the cookies from the baking sheets with a spatula while still warm.  Place oin wire rack to partially cool.  Store the cookies in an airtight container with a slice of white bread to maintain their soft, fruity texture.

http://www.irishcentral.com/culture/food-drink/irish-whiskey-cookies-79245727-237359271.html#

Mending Maria