Tea Time on Tuesday ~ St. Patrick's Day Tea

 

I have many things planned for St. Patrick's Day tomorrow.  But, I didn't see any harm in starting to celebrate a little early with green and shamrocks for our tea time today.  Our tea time this afternoon consisted of cupcakes topped with small green shamrock frosted sugar cookies, Irish bread, and the obvious, GREEN tea. 

Our family loves this Irish bread recipe.  Here's Olivia dining on it during our St. Patrick's Day Tea last year.  I've been making it for probably five years now.  It's a sweet bread and is great not only for tea time, but for breakfast and brunch as well.  I thought you might want to give it a try tomorrow. 

Note:  Because my family likes the sweet taste of dried cranberries, I use them in place of the typical raisins found in many Irish bread recipes. 

IRISH BREAD 

 

3 cups all-purpose flour 

2 tablespoons baking powder 

½ teaspoon salt 

½ cup sugar 

¼ cup shortening 

¼ cup butter 

1 cup dried cranberries

1¼ cup milk

2 large eggs

1 tablespoon white vinegar

 

Combine first 4 ingredients in a bowl.  Cut shortening and butter into flour mixture with a pastry blender or fork until mixture is crumbly.  Stir in dried cranberries.  Set aside.

 

Whisk together milk, eggs, and vinegar.  Add to flour mixture, stirring just until moistened.  Pour batter into a greased 10½ inch cast-iron skillet.

 

Bake at 350° for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Comments

[Dad]

I know each of you had a special time built around St. Patrick's Day. The food looks so good. Send some to Virginia.

Dad

[ant]

mmm...

[Ellen]

Very sweet. The Irish bread looks delicious and having a tea party is so special - helps the day brighten. What is the green plant called? Is it a type of clover? Would love to have one of those little plants in our house.

[Graphics Matrox]

Imagine a room... filled with the aroma of hot tea, delicious desserts, scrumptious finger foods, and the gentle hum of warm conversation. Picture yourself with your dear women friends and new acquaintances in an atmosphere of kinship and fun, femininity and relaxation. These experiences and more are yours at our annual St. Patrick’s Day Tea!