Irish Soda Bread-Easy Recipe

Makes one loaf

Ingredients

3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup sugar

3 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

4 tablespoons unsalted butter (1/4 cup) softened

1 teaspoon caraway seeds, (optional)

1 cup raisins

1 cup buttermilk

1 egg

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, soda and salt and stir well to mix.

Add the butter and rub in until the butter disappears into the dry ingredients.

Stir in the caraway seeds if used and the raisins.

In a small bowl, whisk the buttermilk and egg together and mix into the dough mixture with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula.

Turn the dough out on a floured work surface and fold it over on itself and kneed several times. Transfer to well greased loaf pan. Cut a cross in the top of the bread. Bake for about 45 minutes check with toothpick that center is cooked.

Cool the soda bread on a rack.  Slice and serve with butter.

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This is my Mom’s recipe.  It calls for 3 tablespoons of butter.  I prefer to add 4 tablespoons (I like butter) for a richer taste and texture.   Also, you don’t have to make it in a loaf pan.  It can be shaped by hand into a round and placed on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or tin foil.

Tip:  If you’re wondering how you can have something this delicious and maintain your girlish figure, remember to indulge on a “treat” day or special occasion.   Grab my Ten Ways to Lose 10 Pounds booklet (at right) to read more about enjoying food and a great figure too.