Spotted Dog Bread

Spotted Dog is fruit bread derived in Ireland using the same key ingredients as the traditional Irish Soda Bread with the addition of sugar, egg and dried fruit. The spotted look is achieved with the addition of sultanas, raisins or currants. It is in essence a quick bread and is best consumed on the day it is baked.

Ingredients

600 g plain flour

1 tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda

2 tbls caster sugar

1 cup sultanas (150g)

1 egg (50g)

450 ml buttermilk

Method

Preheat oven to 210ºC. Mix together flour, salt, sugar and baking soda in a large bowl and make a well in the centre. Mix buttermilk, egg and sultanas in another bowl. Add the liquid blend to the flour mixture and working from the centre mix with your hands making dough. Turn mixture out onto a floured board and knead until combined. Form a large round ball and place on a baking sheet or a lightly floured baking tray. Cut a deep cross and bake for 15 min. Reduce oven heat to 200 ºC and bake for approx. 20 minutes or until the bread is cooked and sounds hollow when tapped at the base.

Note: This bread is excellent for breakfast or lunch and mix in other ingredients of your choice such as mixed spices.