Taste O’ the Emerald Isle: Bake Irish Soda Bread #recipe

This recipe is so tasty you don’t need it to be Saint Patrick’s Day to bake it, but just in case here it is! There are so many variations of Irish soda bread, but this one is my favorite because it is moist, sweet and reminds me of the Irish mom of one of my favorite people on this planet.  One of my memories of Mama Burke is how lovingly she treated all those around her, so I always make multiple loaves of this recipe to pass on to those that are special to me. This year’s recipients were my daughter’s first grade class and the staff amazing nurses at our pediatrician’s office.

Mama Burke’s Irish Soda Bread Recipe

1) Preheat oven to 375 degrees

2) Grease and flour a 10 inch round loaf pan

3) Stir together 4 cups of sifted all purpose flour, 3 tsp double-acting baking powder, 1 tsp baking soda and 1 cup of sugar. Cut into this dry mixture 1 cup of chilled shortening or butter. Using forks, a pastry blender will give you the course cornmeal consistency you need. (I cheated this year using my food processor and it worked just fine. )

4) Stir in 2 cups of raisins

5) In a separate bowl, mix together 2 beaten eggs and 1 1/3 cup of buttermilk. Add this wet mixture to the dry mixture and blend well.

6) Place the mixture into the greased round loaf pan. Cut a cross over the top and sprinkle with flour.

7) Bake for 1 hour.

Éirinn go Brách! That’s IT Mom Jill