Irish Soda Bread

Irish Soda Bread is an easy quick bread that can be made and enjoyed anytime. The following is a recipe that includes golden raisins - a little gold for St. Patrick's day. You can omit the raisins completely or substitute regular raisins, currents or dried cranberries or a combination instead. We've tried them all and they were well received by everyone. Children love to help! Depending on their age they can measure, dump, mix, stir, kneed and/or form the rustic loaf. When children join you in the kitchen they are excited to try out the results. This is a great activity for the whole family and the bread makes a lovely gift for family, friends or neighbors.


Ingredients:

• 3 3/4 C of flour
• 1/4 C brown sugar
• 1 T baking powder
• 1 t baking soda
• 3/4 C golden raisins
• 2 C of buttermilk
• 1 egg

Preparation:     

1. Allow the oven to heat up to 375 degrees.
2. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
3. Place the flour into a large mixing bowl.
4. Dump in the brown sugar, baking powder and baking soda and toss to combine well.
5. Fold in the raisins until incorporated into the dry mixture well.
6. Pour the buttermilk into a separate small bowl.
7. Break the egg into the buttermilk and whisk until completely combined.
8. Pour the mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until all the ingredients are incorporated together and soft dough has formed.
9. Flour a flat surface lightly and transfer the dough to the surface.
10. Knead the dough 10 times or until the dough is pliable and smooth.
11. Form the dough into a large mounded round.
12. Place the dough on the prepared cookie sheet and use a sharp knife to cut a shallow X in the middle of the mound.
13. Bake the bread for 45 minutes or until browned on top and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.