Irish Soda Bread

I love this recipe for Irish Soda Bread. It's so easy and so good, that I just can't bring myself to eat any other. It's nice and slightly crumbly with out being too dry. Sometimes Irish Soda Bread is too dry. It makes wonderful toast with raspberry jam, too.

I've been making this recipe for years. When the boys were all in preschool and kindergarden, I would make several loaves each year - one for home and a some for their classes. Now, however, I only need to make one loaf for home. (unless I am feeling generous and want to make some for friends!) This year I only made one loaf but I am feeling generous so instead of baking for everyone, I'll share the recipe!

Irish Soda Bread

3 Tbsp. butter, softened
2-1/2 cups flour
2 Tbsp. sugar
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup raisins
3/4 cup buttermilk


Heat oven to 375F. Grease a 8-9 inch round cake pan. Cut butter into flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt with pastry blender or two knives, until mixture resembles fine crumbs. Stir in raisins and just enough buttermilk so that dough leaves the sides of the bowl. Turn dough onto lightly floured surface. Knead 1-2 minutes or until smooth. Shape into round loaf, about 6-1/2 inches in diameter. Place on cookie sheet. Cut an X shape about 1/2-inch deep through loaf with floured knife. Bake 35 to 45 minutes or until golden brown.

*Sometimes I brush the top with buttermilk and sprinkle with Turbinado sugar before baking. Gives it a little sparkle!