Whether you prefer it the traditional way (made with just flour, salt, baking powder and buttermilk) or with a little something extra, try your luck at baking this simple Irish soda bread for Saint Patrick’s Day!
Makes: One 10-inch loaf
Ingredients
- butter for greasing pan, plus 1/4 cup unsalted, melted butter
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 3/4 cups buttermilk
- 2 local eggs, well beaten
- Optional: 1 1/2 cups raisins or currants or 1 tablespoon caraway seeds
Preparation
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Grease a 10-inch oven-proof skillet and line with parchment paper. (A greased and lined baking pan can be used in place of a skillet).
- In a bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and baking soda until blended.
- In a separate bowl, combine the buttermilk, eggs and 2 tablespoons melted butter. Add wet ingredients to dry and stir until just combined. Do not overmix – dough should be sticky.
- Stir in the raisins or currants and caraway seeds.
- Pour batter into skillet. Brush top with remaining melted butter and use a sharp knife coated in flour to scour a large, deep X in dough.
- Bake until golden and firm to touch, about 1 hour. Cool 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
- Want to add a little more sweetness? Sprinkle powdered sugar over top of the loaf!