Irish soda bread

[cab54]

Irish soda bread

Recipe Description

According to an article I recently read, Irish soda bread originally had raisins and caraway seeds in it. Then, when Ireland became very impoverished, people couldn't afford to add extras. Now, it is becoming more popular to add the raisins and caraway, as originally done. A unique flavor......it may sound strange, but I can't imagine it any other way---since I've made it this was since about 1976, when I found it at an International Festival. It's soooooo good! A heavy bread, with a sweet/savory blend of flavors.

Preparation Steps:

Mix first 5 ingredients in a large bowl. With pastry cutter, cut in butter till mixture is coarse crumbs. Stir in raisins and caraway seeds.

In small bowl, beat eggs with fork, remove about 1 Ybsp. of the eggs and reserve. Stir buttermilk into eggs, and add this egg/milk into flour mix until flour is moistened. Dough will be sticky. Turn out onto floured surface, and knead 10 strokes. Shape into ballPlace into buttered 2 qt. round casserole, or on flat baking sheet.

Level of Difficulty:

Medium

Time Needed:

2 hours?

Ingredients:

4 c. all-purpose flour
3 Tbsp. sugar
1 Tbsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
3/4 tsp. baking soda
6 Tbsp. butter
1-1/2 c. dark raisins
1 Tbsp. caraway seeds
2 eggs
1-1/2 c/ buttermilk (if you don't have buttermilk, you can 'make' it with 1 tbsp. vinegar in the milk and then stir!)

Serves:

1 large round loaf

Directions:

With a sharp knife, cut a cross (X) on top, and then brush the top with the reserved 1 tbsp. egg.

Bake 1 hour and 20 minutes @ 350F till toothlick inserted into center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes on rack while in casserole dish. Then turn out on rack and cool completely. Spread with butter.

[Mom2-3]

Thank you! I want to try this. I love Irish soda bread