Recipes > Irish Soda Bread

Irish Soda Bread

If you're looking to explore your Irish roots, or just wanting to make an easy delicious bread, try throwing together a traditional Irish dish that is good any time of the year, not just St. Patrick’s Day.

When I was a kid, I can't remember a Sunday morning without warm soda bread. You can whip up a dough in a short time since you don't have to wait around for your dough to rise. Similar to a scone dough, soda bread bears a similar density, and also flexibility as a scone. You can add various nuts and raisons to add flavor to your dish.

Try adding dried currants or dried apricots as well as walnuts or almonds.

Irish Soda Bread

Ingredients

4 cups unbleached flour

1 tablespoon double-acting baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1 cup raisins or dried currants, rinsed in hot water and patted dry

1 tablespoon caraway seeds

1 tablespoon sugar

2 tablespoons light brown sugar

2 cups buttermilk

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degree

Sift the flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, brown sugar, and baking soda into a large mixing bowl, and then stir in the raisins and caraway seeds.
Add the buttermilk and stir until it forms a dough.
Turn the dough out onto a well-floured surface and knead it for 1 minute.
Halve the dough, with floured hands shape each half into a round loaf.
Transfer the loaves to a lightly greased baking sheet.
Cut an “X” across the tops of the loaves with a sharp knife.
Bake the loaves in the middle of a preheated 350°F. oven for 45 to 55 minutes, or until a tester comes out clean.
Transfer the loaves to racks and let them cool.

Makes two loaves.