Blackberry and Apple Spelt Soda Bread
One of the many highlights of our day at River Cottage last week, was the blackberry and apple spelt soda bread we made along with some beautiful butter. I was so delighted with the bread that I went foraging for blackberries a few days later and made a loaf at home.
We weren’t given the recipe on the day and the dry ingredients had already been weighed out for us, so I had no idea of the quantities used. The recipe that follows is my version. It came out rather differently to the one I made at River Cottage, but it was just as good. I didn’t use any honey in my loaf as I thought the blackberries and apple were sweet enough, but you could always add a spoonful if you like, as we did on the day. As I didn’t make butter this second time around, I had no buttermilk, so I watered down some yoghurt and used that instead. The beauty of making the two together is that you have just the right amount of buttermilk needed to make a loaf. At River Cottage we added cheese to the mix – I opted for hard goat’s cheese; at home I only had cheddar so I used that instead.
On the day, I discovered from fellow blogger Becky at Munchies and Munchkins, that the traditional cross on the top of Irish soda bread is to keep the devil out. The things you learn.
Like all soda breads, this is quick and easy to make. It’s ideal at teatime, spread with butter or, as in our case, for accompanying a bowl of spiced courgette soup. It’s always best eaten on the day of baking, but I found it was almost as good the next day. The fruit helps to keep this spelt soda bread both moist and fresh.
- 150g wholemeal spelt
- 100g plain flour
- 50g jumbo oats
- 3/4 tsp bicarbonate of soda
- 1/2 tsp Cornish sea salt
- 4 sage leaves - finely chopped
- leaves from a couple of thyme sprigs
- 1 small apple including skin (mine was a Cornish cooking variety)
- 50g blackberries
- 50g cheddar cheese - grated
- 150 ml yoghurt mixed with 100ml water or 250ml buttermilk
- 1 tbsp honey (optional)
- Place all dry ingredients in a large bowl.
- Gently stir in the fruit, herbs and all but a handful of cheese so they are all coated in flour.
- Make a well in the middle and pour in the yoghurt and honey if using.
- Stir with a flat bladed knife until the mixture comes together.
- Gently shape the dough into a round with your hands and place on a buttered baking tray. The dough is best handled as little as possible.
- Flatten roughly to 4 cm (1 ½") thickness. Dust a little flour over the top to help prevent burning then scatter with the remaining cheese. Cut a cross using a sharp knife and bake at 200℃ for 35 minutes when the bread should sound hollow when tapped underneath.
Other recipes for soda bread you might like
- Cheese and herb wholemeal spelt soda bread – Knead Whine
- Roasted pepper and thyme soda bread – Baking Queen
- Wild garlic pesto pinwheels – Foodie Quine
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Katharine
2nd October 2015
Mmm, looks wonderful. I think I’d love it with a hunk of strong cheese too although I wouldn’t turn my nose up at a slice with butter especially your lovely spiralled one!
Choclette
2nd October 2015
Thanks Katharine, it’s quite cheesy anyway, but you could always leave the cheese out and then have it with the bread instead, or just go right ahead and have both 🙂
Kellie@foodtoglow
2nd October 2015
Oh this sounds gorgeous, Choclette. I’m sure it is just as good if not better than the ones at River Cottage. The strong Cheddar sounds like it would be perfect with the flavours, and in a subtle complementing amount. Lovely xx
Choclette
2nd October 2015
Thank you Kellie, it really is a fabulous bake. I suspect I will be out foraging for more blackberries this weekend so I can make it for a third time 😉
Angie@Angie's Recipes
2nd October 2015
I really love the idea of adding berries in soda bread. I wonder if it works with frozen berries.
Choclette
2nd October 2015
It’s a fab idea isn’t it. I don’t see why it wouldn’t work with frozen berries Angie, it’s in a hot oven for quite a long time.
Sarah
2nd October 2015
I bet yours is just as good if not better than the one at River Cottage. I love this blackberry apple combo and I really like the cheese in this too – I’d love a slice now!
Choclette
2nd October 2015
Haha thank you. Both were delicious Sarah and I’m pretty certain I will be making this again before the blackberries disappear 😉
Byron Thomas
2nd October 2015
I love how you’ve paired the blackberries with the apples in this bread recipe. Sounds great!
Choclette
3rd October 2015
Thanks Byron. Blackberry and apple is a very traditional mix here in the UK. It probably is in the US too, but it’s the first time I’ve had it in bread and it’s fabulous.
Cassandrea at chewsandbrews.ca
2nd October 2015
These look awesome! I love using different grains like spelt for baking!!
Choclette
3rd October 2015
Thanks Cassandrea. Spelt is one of my favourite flours, but it’s fun trying others too.
Marisa Franca @ All Our Way
2nd October 2015
I love different kinds of bread, especially breads with fruit. I think they are so versatile. Love the combination.
Choclette
3rd October 2015
Thank you Marisa, bread is a great vehicle for all kinds of things. I made olive bread today 🙂
Roz Goodgame
3rd October 2015
I love soda bread, never tried a sweeter one thought. this sounds great!
Choclette
3rd October 2015
It wasn’t overly sweet Roz as I didn’t use honey, more just little bursts of it along with a bit of tartness too – very nice.
manu
3rd October 2015
This bread sounds perfect for an afternoon tea.
Happy Saturday
Choclette
3rd October 2015
Thank you Manu. Ooh yes, what a very good idea. Hope you are well and have a good rest of the weekend.
kate @veggie desserts
3rd October 2015
It was so good. I love the herbs in this soda bread and the sweet/sour of the fruits. It was lovely to finally meet you at River Cottage!
Choclette
5th October 2015
It was a multi-sensory bread Kate and if the rain hasn’t spoilt all of the blackberries, I shall be making it again soon. It was really good to meet you too 🙂
What Kate Baked
3rd October 2015
Ohh Choclette, I’ve just come across your wonderful new website (we’ve had a rather hectic few months and I’ve been out of the blogging loop); I love it and am off to explore… Meanwhile, what a brilliant time you all had at River Cottage; what a fabulous treat of a day out!
Choclette
5th October 2015
Thank you Kate. It’s good to hear from you. I’m really glad you like the blog, it’s coming together slowly. The River Cottage day was super duper 🙂
Kate | The Veg Space
3rd October 2015
What a gorgeous loaf, and love the idea of blackberry & apple with cheese. Sounds like a fabulous day was had by all at River Cottage, so sorry to have missed it!
Choclette
5th October 2015
Thanks Kate, it really is a very tasty loaf. I’m very much hoping we might get another chance at River Cottage one day.
J @ A Hot Southern Mess
4th October 2015
Yum! This bread looks delicious with the fruit in it and that cheese looks beautiful!
Choclette
5th October 2015
Thanks J, it’s a very tasty bread that is quick to make and easily adaptable.
Emma @ Supper in the Suburbs
4th October 2015
Thanks for sharing this! Ive got lots of apples that need using up so as well making apple pie later I think I might make this! It was delicious but definitely best served warm!
Choclette
5th October 2015
Thanks Emma. It would have been nice to have had the actual recipe from River Cottage, but I was pretty pleased with this one.
Leslie @ Bessie Bakes
7th October 2015
Soda bread is so easy to make. I love the combination of flours, herbs, and fruit with goat cheese. This is the perfect tea time snack!
Choclette
7th October 2015
Thanks Leslie. I make my own bread, but sometimes it’s really nice to bake soda bread that can so quickly be put together.
Janie
7th October 2015
Mmmm looks very, very tasty Choclette 🙂
Janie x
Choclette
7th October 2015
Well it’s a big shame you didn’t get to taste it Janie. What did J think of it?
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry
7th October 2015
I really, really, want to take the kids out tomorrow to go pick blackberries and make this.
Choclette
8th October 2015
Take them, take them Bintu. Blackberry season is nearly over.
Deepika@EasyBabyMeals
7th October 2015
This is a perfect bread paired with a hot cup of coffee. I have never tried making a soda bread but will try this recipe soon.
Choclette
8th October 2015
Oh soda bread is so quick and simple to make and you don’t have to add any fruit, cheese or herbs, but it does make it extra delicious.
Sara @ Life's Little Sweets
8th October 2015
I love soda bread, I have never tried spelt, now you got me curious! Thank you for sharing this recipe, it looks delicious!
Choclette
8th October 2015
Thanks Sara. Spelt is my favourite flour and I use it for most things, it is more expensive though.
Rachel @ Simple Seasonal
8th October 2015
What a delicious looking recipe. I’m such a big fan of soda bread, and you reinvented it in such a tasty looking way!
Choclette
8th October 2015
Thanks Rachel. I’m still hoping I can find a few more blackberries in order to make it one last time – before next year!
Nayna Kanabar
8th October 2015
Your bread looks delicious, it brought back the taste of the one I made at River Cottage.
Choclette
9th October 2015
Thanks Nayana. I’m hoping to get one more picking of blackberries so I can make it one last time this year.
Ciao Florentina
9th October 2015
Shame on me for never having made soda bread. Off I go to the pantry now ..
Choclette
9th October 2015
Haha Florentina. But really not at all shameful. The wonder of blogging is discovering all these new foods.
Whitney
9th October 2015
I still have yet to make a soda bread. I bet the blackberries make this a hit!
Choclette
11th October 2015
The blackberries give wonderful bursts of sweetness and flavour – well worth trying.
Jessica
10th October 2015
YUM. I love the combination of blackberries and apple.
Choclette
11th October 2015
Thanks Jessica. It’s a classic combination and it works brilliantly in this bread.
Molly Kumar
11th October 2015
I love soda breads as they don’t need too much kneading or prepping…Love the combination of blackberry and apple – Would love to get a slice of this 🙂 You’ve just tempted me to make a batch soon.
Choclette
11th October 2015
Thanks Molly. No kneading required at all. I made my third one last night for supper – so simple, so delicious.
Joy @ Joy Love Food
11th October 2015
This bread looks so good, I love the combination of fruit with herbs and cheese!
Choclette
11th October 2015
Thanks Joy. It’s a lovely combination indeed. I made my 3rd loaf last night 🙂
Oana @AdoreFoods
14th October 2015
Would love a piece of this amazing loaf right now. Have to try this!
Choclette
14th October 2015
I made my third loaf at the weekend Oana – got to be good 😉
Lizzy (Good Things)
11th September 2016
Ooooh, I love the look and sound of this one XX
Choclette
12th September 2016
It’s a super easy rustic bread to make Lizzy and it’s absolutely delicious.