by Fotolia/Brent Hofacker
Traditional Irish soda bread is a classic for Saint Patrick's Day.
50 min
DURATION
30 min
COOK TIME
20 min
PREP TIME
2 loaves
SERVINGS
Ingredients
- 4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons caraway seeds
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup butter, cold
- 1 cup raisins
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1-3/4 cups buttermilk
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
Directions
- Preheat oven to 400 F. Lightly grease two 8-inch pie or cake pans; set aside.In large mixing bowl, combine flour, salt, caraway seeds, baking soda and sugar. Using pastry blender, cut in cold butter. Stir in raisins.
- Make well in center of dry ingredients. Add egg and buttermilk, and stir until dough forms.
- Turn dough out onto lightly floured board, and knead for 3 to 5 minutes, or until smooth. Divide dough half, and pat each half into circle. Place dough in prepared pans. Using knife, cut crisscross in top of each loaf.
- Bake for about 30 minutes, or until loaves sound hollow when tapped.
- Remove from pans to cooling rack, and brush tops with melted butter. Cover with towel until cool. Cut in wedges, and serve with additional butter and jam.
