Irish Soda Bread Recipe

The Irish soda bread is a favorite recipe in Ireland and for the people who cary Irish heritage outside of Ireland. Especially at St. Patrick's day many people look to cool healthy Irish recipes, including an Irish soda bread.

When I was a sophomore in college, I took a class on the history of Ireland. (This was years before I met Dave!) The culminating activity for that class was to have a lavish Irish feast at the home of the professor. I gleaned this recipe from that evening, as well as many fond memories; Dr. Wells was my favorite college professor of all time.

Irish Soda Bread Recipe

2 c. all-purpose flour
1 1/2 t. baking powder
3/4 t. baking soda
1 t. salt
1/3 c. sugar
1 T. caraway seeds
3 T. butter
1 c. buttermilk or sour milk*
2/3 c. raisins, coarsely chopped
1 T. orange zest (grated orange peel)
1 T. melted butter
1 T. sugar
1/4 t. ground cinnamon
I always bake this in my medium-sized cast iron skillet. I'm not sure why. It turns out wonderfully, so I keep doing it.

Grease said skillet generously and set aside.

Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, 1/3 c. sugar, orange peel, and caraway seeds. Add cold butter and mix until crumbly. Pour in buttermilk and add raisins. Mix lightly. Turn out onto a floured board and knead gently a few times. Shape into a ball and place in skillet. Be careful not to overmix or overknead this dough. The less you mix it, the softer and lighter the bread will be.

Use a sharp knife or scissors to cut the dough crosswise into quarters, cutting about 2/3 of the way down through the dough. Brush with 1 T. melted butter and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar mix.

Bake the Irish Soda Bread for 35-40 minutes at 375 until golden brown. Eat HOT with lots of butter.

*To sour milk, put 1 T. vinegar in a liquid measuring cup. Add enough milk to make one full cup. Let this sit and curdle for a couple of minutes before using it.