Traditional Irish soda bread recipes don't include many of the ingredients we Americans now use to jazz up our soda breads, like sugar, raisins and eggs. But I make this Irish soda bread recipe every year for St. Patrick's Day, because it's the one my family likes best. The raisins are optional.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tsp. baking soda
- 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
- 1 large egg
- 2 cups low-fat buttermilk
- 1/2 cup raisins (optional)
Preparation:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray.
- Stir flours, sugar, baking soda and salt together in a mixing bowl.
- Whisk egg and buttermilk together in a small bowl. Add to the flour mixture, stirring until just blended. Stir in the raisins.
- Turn out onto a lightly-floured surface and knead several times, then form a loaf.
- Transfer to the prepared baking sheet. Cut an X on the top of the loaf. Bake 30-50 minutes or until bread sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom. (Yes, the cooking time varies widely. Check it at 30 minutes and again every 5 minutes to avoid overbaking it.)
