Marilyn Martin's Recipe

Irish Soda Bread

Category: Recipes

Irish Soda Bread

3 C flour (all purpose or a combination of all purpose and white whole wheat flour)
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 Tbsp sugar
1 C buttermilk
1 egg
2 Tbsp melted butter, melted and cooled
3/4 C raisins
Optional: 2 tsp caraway seeds

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly grease a baking sheet or cast iron skillet.

Soak the raisins for 5 minutes in roughly 1 cup of hot water to plump them up, then drain and set aside.

In a large bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, salt, and sugar until evenly mixed. In another bowl, beat the egg, whisk in the buttermilk, and melted butter. Add the drained raisins and buttermilk mixture to the flour mixture and fold with a spatula to combine.

Flour your hands and gather and shape the dough into a round loaf. The dough will still be sticky but if it's too sticky add some more flour. Do not work the dough too much. Dip the cutting edge of a serrated knife in flour and mark the top of the loaf with an X.

Bake in a 375 degree F oven for 35 - 40 minutes or until a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean. Serve warm with butter or cheddar cheese.