Irish Soda Bread

During March, we go a little crazy for Irish recipes. With a name like Dougherty, how could we not? 

Here’s a recipe my mother-in-law gave me for Irish Soda Bread. Since it includes raisins and carraway seeds, it’s supposed to be the American version. (My mother-in-law didn’t tell me that part.)

4 cups flour
4 tablespoons sugar
3 tablespoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons butter, softened
1 3/4 cup buttermilk
1 cup raisins
1 tablespoon carraway seeds

Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Cut butter into flour mixture, forming small, pea-like bits. Add raisins and carraway seeds. Make well in flour and butter mixture and add buttermilk to well. Combine the flour and buttermilk to form soft dough.

Transfer dough onto floured surface and knead until the dough is no longer sticky–about three minutes. Don’t over knead the dough. Cut the dough in half and place in greased cake pans or cast iron pans or pizza stones. 

Glaze tops with buttermilk. Cut a cross in the tops about 1/2 inch deep.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 40 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on wire rack.

This bread is easy to make and delicious to eat. My husband likes to toast a slice and slather it with peanut butter. I like it plain. Whichever way you choose, I hope you enjoy a little slice of Ireland!