We are going through a history where the world is witnessing a pandemic episode of Covid-19.  As the world reels in the #StayAtHome concept lots of new ideas are popping up on internet to keep oneself busy and sane. One of them being Baking YES... Baking Breads, Cakes, Muffins, Brownies, Pastries is at its peak and is being enjoyed thoroughly across the globe as we silently fight against the Virus and pray that it dies down.


Irish Soda Bread



I venture into baking once in a while. This time it was so tempting for me to just  not to ignore the call of baking a bread. But sigh!! I had to be patient as I did not have yeast in my pantry. Going to grocery stores at the drop of the hat is a big NO NO now, to add to it I kept forgetting to add that ingredient on my list of next home delivered order.

So I was left with no option but to look for something that used no Yeast. Something that was quick, simple and no fermentation recipe for my bread as I craved to make one!

And voila came across Irish Soda Bread in a 5 year old magazine which I was browsing while having my tea.
As befitting many of the best breads in the world – Irish Soda Bread is a traditional Irish speciality- it was made with only the most basic of ingredients: flour, baking soda (used as a leavening agent instead of yeast), soured milk to moisten and activate the soda, and salt.
Irish Soda bread remains an international favorite.  Before baking, a cross was cut on the top with a knife, to ward off the devil and protect the household. 
Something about it, when you mark that X just before the bread goes in the oven, makes you smile and you know it will come out right :)





You are going to love it I promise.

Made this in like 50 mins [included baking time] and it was ready to be relished with your butter/jam/marmalade.....

Here goes the recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cup +2 tbsp - all purpose flour
• 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
• 2 tbsp regular rolled oats
• 1/2 tsp baking pwd
• 3/4 tsp baking soda ( preferably fresh)
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp cold u salted butter cut in small cubes
• 3 tbsp honey
• 1 1/4 cup buttermilk
• 1 egg
• 2 tsp orange zest ( optional)
• 1/2 cup nuts or dried currents or cranberry
  

Preparation:

I always get fascinated looking at the freshly baked goodies whenever I visit grocery stores and bakeries. The aroma that lingers around these goodies is awesome. Brings in so much of warmth and happiness. I start baking hysterically once in a while, for no particular reason :)
Also the season of holidays gets me inspired to bake the goodies and I get comfortable doing so!

Here are some freshly baked oats cookies loaded with apple sauce, apples cubes and walnuts. Yummy in everyone's tummy :) Ingredient line up is healthy and outcome is very delicious too.  Its chewy and soft. One of the healthiest cookies that's out there, if your kids fall for this, there is no second thought. Just put this recipe on a repeat mode. It is a winner recipe.






I have already made it thrice and thanks to sallys baking addiction blog. She tried it few times to get a correct measurement for this recipe. I try to tweak it every time I make by just adding extra nuts or switch the main fruit that goes in it. Like once I added small chunks of persimmon fruit. I also added cranberries. So you can play with it once you get a hang of it.

One cup of milk and 2 oats cookies will make SantaClaus happy too :) What say? :)

Let us take a look at the recipe of Apple Walnuts Oatmeal Cookies.



Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 3/4 cup packed dark or light brown sugar (or white granulated sugar)
• 1 large egg, at room temperature
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup finely diced apple 
• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts

Either take the following ingredients 

• 1 cup old-fashioned whole rolled oats
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

OR

• 1 cup of ready to make Maple or Apple Cinnamon flavored 3 min Oatmeal packets.

• Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Set aside.
• Whisk the oats, flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon- together in a large bowl.
• Whisk the butter, applesauce, brown sugar(or white sugar) together until combined. Then whisk in the egg and vanilla. Pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and whisk until just combined. Fold in the apples and walnuts. The cookie dough will be thick and sticky.
• Using a medium cookie scoop or a spoon, scoop cookie dough into balls (about 2 Tbsp of dough each) and place 2 inches apart on the cookie sheet. Slightly flatten the balls out- as the cookies won't spread much.
• Bake for 17-18 minutes or until lightly browned and set on the edges. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes on the cookie sheets.
• Enjoy with a nice cup of hot cocoa or milk or Tea.