Low fat Irish soda bread or scone recipe?

Question

I want to make either Irish soda bread or scones with raisins for St. Patrick's Day. I usually use pure butter and whole milk but I am now watching my fat grams and need to find a recipe that uses a lower fat margarine/butter substitute. I know that some margarines do not "translate" well if substituted for butter. Any ideas?

Answer 1

(most people think buttermilk is fatty when in fact it's actually better for you than regular milk)

Irish Soda Bread

2 cup flour

1 Tbsp sugar

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened

3/4 cup California raisins

1 1/2 tsp caraway seeds (optional)

1 cup low-fat buttermilk (2% fat)

1 egg, slightly beaten with 1 tbsp water

Sift flour, sugar, baking powder, soda and salt into a large mixing bowl. Cut in butter with a pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse meal. Stir in raisins and caraway seeds. Add buttermilk; blend to moisten the dry ingredients.

Turn dough onto floured board; knead for several minutes until smooth. Form dough into a round ball and place on greased baking sheet.

Flatten ball until dough is about 1 1/2 inches thick; brush top and sides with egg-water mixture. Cut a 1/2-inch deep cross in top of bread with sharp knife.

Bake at 375°F for 30 to 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Transfer to wire rack to cool; brush top with butter or margarine and cover with cloth, until cool.

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Low Fat Dried Fruit Scones

2 1/2 cups flour

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1 tablespoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 cup dried plum puree

2 tablespoons margarine, cold

8 ounces nonfat plain yogurt

1/2 cup dried cranberries or craisins or other dried fruit, finely chopped

1  egg white, lightly beaten

1 tablespoon sugar

-Preheat oven to 400°.

-Coat cookie sheet with non-stick spray.

-In a large bowl, combine first 6 ingredients.

-Cut into dry ingredients the plum puree and cold margarine with pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

-Add yogurt and mix until just blended.

-Stir in dried fruit.

-On a floured surface, roll or pat dough to 3/4 inch thickness.

-Cut out with a 2 1/2 to 3 inch biscuit cutter, rerolling scraps as needed.

-NOTE: The less you handle the dough the better so be sure to get as many as possible the first time.

-Arrange on cookie sheet, spacing 2 inches apart.

-Brush with beaten egg white and sprinkle with sugar.

-Bake in the center of the oven for about 15 minutes or until golden brown and springy to the touch.

Answer 2

Low fat Irish soda bread

INGREDIENTS:

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 tsp baking soda

1 1/2 tsp salt

1 1/2 cups low fat buttermilk

PREPARATION:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In a large bowl, stir dry ingredients together with a whisk. Make a well in the center and add 1 cup of the buttermilk, reserving 1/2 cup. Combine dry ingredients and buttermilk with a fork, gradually adding more of the remaining liquid until a soft dough is formed.

Knead the dough lightly on a floured surface for 1 minute. Form into a slightly flattened circle. Place on a parchment lined (or silicone baking mat) cookie sheet. Mark a large 1/2-inch deep X with a sharp knife and bake soda bread for 40-45 minutes. The bread is ready when it is golden and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.

Yield 1 round loaf (8-10 wedges or slices).