Irish Soda Bread

This bread is popular through out Ireland because it is easily and quickly made. Often baked fresh for tea or breakfast. The true soda bread does not contain raisins so I'm posting the recipe as it was intended to be made, but I do add raisins and caraway seeds to mine. I will make a loaf to go along with my Corned Beef supper for St. Patrick's Day.


Irish Soda Bread

4 c. plain flour
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. sugar
2 c. buttermilk
Sieve the dry ingredients into a large bowl. Scoop up handfuls and allow to drop back into the bowl to aerate the mixture. Add enough buttermilk to make a soft dough. Now work quickly as the buttermilk and soda are already reacting. Knead the dough lightly, too much handling toughens it while too little means it won't rise properly. Form a round loaf about as thick as your fist. Place it on a lightly floured surface and cut a cross in the top with a floured knife. Bake in a 400 oven for 30-45 minutes. Wrap at once with a tea towel to stop the crust from hardening.

This recipe comes from a true Irish cookbook where I'll be sharing more Irish favorites from. I think it's important to honor different culinary cuisines, fun too!
When I add raisins, I don't measure, I just toss in what looks to be enough for the batter, as for the caraway seeds, a little goes a long way so shake gently. I'm always on the hunt for different recipes so if you have a good recipe for Irish Soda Bread that you'd like to share, please let me know. Enjoy!