Spotted Puppies

By dharmalita

As with all Irish soda breads, the trick to making Spotted Puppies is not to overmix the dough. Mix and knead it as quickly and gently as possible so the rolls turn out light.

Ingredients

• 3 1/2 cups AP flour (15 3/4 oz)
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/2 cup golden raisins
• 2 tsp. sugar
• 1 2/3 cups buttermilk
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 425ºF.

Sift together flour, baking soda, and salt into a large bowl. Stir in raisins and sugar.

Combine buttermilk and egg, add to flour mixture, stirring until dough forms.

Turn dough out onto light floured surface, knead lightly 4 times with floured hands (dough will be sticky).

Divide dough into 12 equal portions, shaping each into a ball (cover remaining dough to prevent drying).

Arrange rolls on a lightly floured baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes. Reduce oven temp to 400ºF (do not remove rolls from oven) and bake an additional 8 minutes or until rolls sound hollow when tapped.