Happy St. Patrick's Day: Irish Soda Bread



There are so many soda bread haters out there! I couldn't even give a slice away to my friends and neighbors this weekend! They all said "ew, I hate that dry, bland stuff". Well, I think I may have changed their minds! (most of them, anyway).

Though my mother in law is not Irish at all, she makes a mean Irish Soda Bread (recipe from her Irish best friend, Mrs. Dale).

I always use her recipe, but for some reason, hers comes out better than mine.
It may be the pans she uses, ovens vary in temperature, or just more experienced hands with many more loaves baked!

I only make this once a year. One loaf to keep, one to give away (which wasn't easy).

Have a happy St. Patrick's Day!

Shirley's Irish Soda Bread: makes 2 round loaves

4 cups flour
1 cup sugar
2 tsp salt
5 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda

2 tbsp caraway seeds (optional....I like them, no one else does!)

1/2 box raisins
2/3 stick of butter
2 cups buttermilk (she uses skim milk and adds 4 tsp of fresh lemon juice instead)
turbinado sugar for sprinkling on the top (optional)

Stir the dry ingredients with a whisk.

Add butter and work it in w/ your hands, cutting it into the flour mixture.



Add raisins.

Add milk, stir, mixture will be wet.



Divide batter into two lumps. Add to two greased and floured casseroles (1 - 1.5 quart size).



Score with a wet knife and make a cross on top of each dough round.
Sprinkle with a little flour.

Bake at 375 for 40-45 minutes.



Better the next day, and even better 2 days later toasted with butter!



Enjoy!

Comments

Anonymous said…
Well, thank you for the plug, Sta.
I, too, made two loaves yesterday. One for us, one for our wonderful neighbors. Looking forward to enjoying it today.
And a happy St. Patrick's Day to all the bloggers out there, Irish or not.

with love,
Mil
Anonymous said…
Well, you'd have no problem getting "rid" of soda bread over here, something I make and eat way more than once a year. I'm also a fan of putting caraway in breads and scones, so I'm glad to hear that I'm not totally alone on that one!
Ciao Chow Linda said…
I'm not a big fan but I have to say yours looks inviting.
Maria said…
Wow, your bread looks divine. Perfect for today!
SarahB said…
I LOVE Irish Soda Bread! I guess my mom made a good one! With a schmear of cold butter, I love it!
LaDue & Crew said…
I love irish soda bread, but can't find anyone else that does, so I don't make it. I wish I were there!
This looks so good. I was going to email you for the recipe so I am glad you posted it. I tried to make some yesterday and had a little mishap so I might make this later if I have time.Oh, I mentioned your bread in my post today. Happy St Patty's Day!
Pam said…
It looks nice and hearty! I love Irish soda bread.
Foodiewife said…
I admit, that I've shunned Irish Soda bread, too. After seeing your recipe, I'm inspired to make this as something to dunk with a nice hot cup of coffee...kinda like German stollen.

Thanks!
Debby
I've never actually had Irish soda bread - but I'm shocked that anyone would turn down home baked bread. You need like a big office to take stuff like that too. The guys at my husband's would eat anything! This looks really tasty from the pics though!
Anonymous said…
Your soda bread looks wonderful! Happy St. Patrick's day!
Maris said…
I don't know how in the world you had a hard time getting rid of this! I'm with everyone else though, on the caraway seeds. I can live without them but irish soda bread is definitely a fun once-a-year treat.
Anonymous said…
It's beautiful! I would have taken the loaf off your hands in a second.

Happy St. Pat's!
Melissa said…
That looks really, REALLY good. Toasted with butter. Yes please!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Anonymous said…
Very pretty - better after two days?? you must be joking!! How do they last so long?
zlamushka said…
great blog you have here, so homey :-)
Look at you you're such a baker!That looks great Stacey, better than the loaf I just bought! Why do they call it soda bread anyway? Theres 1 tsp of soda in it! Happy St. Patty's day to you, I made corned beef for dinner tonight.
The Duo Dishes said…
All of the soda bread stories the past couple of days have been so interesting. There seems to be a big love/hate thing going on...obviously lots of love from the foodies though. It seems like it'd be lovely, especially with all the butter!
Femin Susan said…
Hope you enjoyed the Patrick's day.
Cate said…
Mmmm, looks delicious! Both my kids will eat any kind of bread, baking up a batch of Irish Soda Bread and brown bread tomorrow.