Irish Soda Bread

Every March my mother would make half a dozen loaves of bread known as Irish Soda Bread to enjoy for St. Patricks Day. The recipe she used was handed down to her by her mother and grandmother. I loved helping her make the bread as she told me stories of her mother and the Irish stories she was told as a child back in Ireland. I loved every minute of those stories. So in order to continue the tradition, I make one loaf of Irish Soda bread every March and think of those old memories and stories. What memories!  Here is my mother's recipe handed down through the generations to me. 

INGREDIENTS:

3 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

2 tablespoons white sugar

1/2 cup of raisins

1 egg, beaten

1 cup buttermilk

2 teaspoons of butter (salted)

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat your oven to 350F.  If you are using a cast iron skillet to cook your bread in, then be sure to grease it before putting your dough into the skillet. Otherwise, use a cookie sheet with parchment paper sprayed with a little cooking spray. 

In a bowl, mix all your dry ingredients together and add in your raisins to ensure a good flour coating. Make a small well in the center of the dry ingredients and begin adding in your buttermilk, butter, and beaten egg. Mix well until all the dry ingredients have been absorbed by the liquid. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for about 6 turns. Once you've created a flat circle, place the dough into either skillet or on the cookie sheet. 

Bake for approximately 40 minutes or until the edges are golden brown. Serve warm with honey butter, or at room temperature with cream cheese. Enjoy! 

 Author Elizabeth Kilbride is a former political operative, author, scriptwriter, historian, and journalist. business professional, creative artist, and life coach consultant. Ms. Kilbride holds a Master's in Criminology and a BS in Business Management she stepped out of the loop for a while but is now back with a powerful opinion and voice in the direction of this country and our economy. As a life coach, she is available to counsel individuals to enjoy their dreams and a better life. Ms. Kilbride loves to travel, and photograph her surroundings and is also a gourmet cook who loves to garden and preserve food for the winter months.