I know it's quite a few days from St. Patrick's Day, but this bread is so good, I figured you may want the recipe in advance.  This is a must-make.  In college, when I went out with friends to a local brewery, I sometimes would just order soda bread because it was so wonderful!  Now I can make my own!  This bread is great with soup and salad, but could also be a breakfast bread because it is mildly sweet.  I've made this bread several times and always get wonderful results.  The buttermilk is a key and I recommend brushing the loaf with a bit of melted butter as it bakes so it gets a nice and crispy crust.  You can throw in raisins or currants if you have them, but this bread is good plain, too.  I can easily say this is my favorite bread ever.

Irish Soda Bread
(makes 1 HUGE loaf--you can make a smaller one if you just cut this in half)


4 cups all-purpose flour

4 tablespoons white sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup margarine, softened
1 cup buttermilk
1 egg
1/4 cup butter, melted (you can use less, since this will just be brushed on the bread)
1/4 cup buttermilk (you can also use less of this, too)
optional:  1/2 cup raisins or currants



Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease a large baking sheet.

In a large bowl, mix together flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt and margarine. Stir in 1 cup of buttermilk and egg. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead slightly. Form dough into a round and place on prepared baking sheet. In a small bowl, combine melted butter with 1/4 cup buttermilk; brush loaf with this mixture. Use a sharp knife to cut an 'X' into the top of the loaf.

Bake in preheated oven for 45 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean, about 30 to 50 minutes. You may continue to brush the loaf with the butter mixture while it bakes.





Leave a Reply.