Here’s an easy way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Make this traditional Irish soda bread. Irish soda bread is so good right from the oven slathered with butter. Serve Irish soda bread with a meal or have it with coffee as a treat. You might also like our recipe for Irish whiskey apple cake.
Irish soda bread gets wonderful reviews and is an easy recipe to make.
3 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup raisins
1 cup buttermilk
Extra butter or margarine for basting
Cut butter into flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a large bowl until resembles fine crumbs.. (I use a fork to do this. Some people us a pastry blender) Stir in raisins and buttermilk. (I soak my raisins in boiling water for 30 minutes but this is not necessary). Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead several times until smooth. Shape into a round loaf. Place on a sprayed cookie sheet. Cut an X shape about 1/2 inch deep into the top of the loaf. Baste the loaf with melted butter before baking and again a couple of times while baking. Cook in preheated 375 degree oven 35 to 45 minutes until golden brown. Enjoy!
Note: Legend says the cross or X is cut into the top of the bread to ward off evil spirits. Don’t leave the X off!!!
“May the leprechauns be near you
To spread luck along your way
May all the Irish angels
Smile upon you on St. Patrick’s Day”
Be sure to check out my recipe for Corned Beef and Cabbage!
Irish Soda Bread
This traditional Irish soda bread is easy and a great way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.
Servings: 1 Loaf
- 3 tablespoons butter or margarine softened
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 1 cup buttermilk
- Extra butter or margarine for basting
-
Cut butter into flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a large bowl until resembles fine crumbs.. (I use a fork to do this.Some people us a pastry blender)
-
Stir in raisins and buttermilk. (I soak my raisins in boiling water for 30 minutes but this is not necessary).
-
Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead several times until smooth. Shape into a round loaf. Place on a sprayed cookie sheet.
-
Cut an X shape about 1/2 inch deep into the top of the loaf. Baste the loaf with melted butter before baking and again a couple of times while baking. Cook in preheated 375 degree oven 35 to 45 minutes until golden brown.
Legend says the cross or X is cut into the top of the bread to ward off evil spirits. Don’t leave the X off!!!