This is a recipe that I can honestly say, I have only made once myself. It isn’t that it is difficult or time consuming. It is actually quite easy and a little different than a traditional Irish Soda Bread.
The reason I have only made it once, is my Mom makes it for everybody all the time, and therefore always has some in her house. She makes it when babies are born, when she is visiting a friend, when someone is sick, or when it is someone’s birthday. She gives it to the families of people who have suffered a loss, and people who have moved in next door. She brings it to people when she is stopping by for a chat. It is just what she does.
Last night, I stopped by to pick up the recipe to post, and of course she had a loaf that she has just made on the counter with the kettle on for tea. She grabbed my Grandma’s dishes, and we drank tea, ate soda bread, and had a chat. I’m so glad she lives only ten minutes away. It was nice to have her listen to my hellacious boot shopping trip with the kids or how we are in the middle of a project right now.
This recipe had originated with my Mom’s cousin Laura. We’ve been eating it all the time (not just on St. Patrick’s Day), and it kind of has a quick bread or cake consistency. If you slice it a little thicker and put it in the toaster it is delicious. Also, it makes two loaves, one for you, and one to share.
My favorite way to eat it is with just a little butter, a cup of tea, and a chat.
Laura’s Irish Soda Bread
5 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 cup sugar
2-3 eggs (2 large 3 medium)
2 cups raisins
2 1/2 cups buttermilk
2 sticks butter (cold)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Grease and flour two loaf pans, and set aside.
Put the raisins in a small bowl, and pour some very hot or boiling water over them and let sit for 3 to 5 minutes. Drain and set aside (this step is not necessary, but makes the raisins plump and delicious).
Sift together flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder. Cut in butter, or mix until butter and dry ingredients are a cornmeal like consistency. Add raisins, and set aside.
In a separate bowl, mix together sugar, eggs, and buttermilk until well incorporated.
Finally, add the egg mixture to the flour and butter mixture, and mix until just combined (do not over mix). Pour the mixture evenly into the to prepared loaf pans.
Bake for one hour or until golden brown.
Get your kettle ready and call a gal pal.
One comment
That bread looks so lovely!!