~Irish Soda Bread~

Irish Soda Bread (File Photo)

March 17 is approaching!  This week an important item on my grocery list is Fat Free Buttermilk.  Best to purchase another container of Raisins, also!  On Saturday Irish Soda Bread will find its place in my oven.

Every year as I prepare this moisty, delicious, raisin filled bread (also called Spotted Dog) for St. Patrick's Day, I recall when I googled and located the recipe.  In my fridge was an opened half filled container of buttermilk.  After searching and clicking online for an Irish Soda Bread recipe, I located a recipe that Carol (from Charli and Me) had shared.  It was eggless, contained buttermilk and a large amount of raisins.

Here is some background:  The original recipe is from the Will O'Glenn Irish Bed and Breakfast in Michigan with Mrs. Biddy Gahan sharing it.  Then Carol very graciously shared it and I'm so pleased that I googled and discovered this raisin filled bread!  Thanks to all who made it possible for me to discover it!  It's delicious! 

• One year with my oven working overtime, I melted the Butter in error.  After it cooled, I added the melted/ cooled Butter to the dry ingredients and discovered that the dough was easier to work with.

• I have a gas oven and I learned that an extra 15 minutes baking time was needed.  It is included in my recipe below.

Ready to be placed in the oven. (File Photo)

Irish Soda Bread
Oven:  400°F, then lowered to 375°F     
Total baking time:  45 Minutes

Ingredients:
1 and 1/2 Cups Raisins
1 Cup boiling Water
*  *  *
1 stick Butter - I use unsalted.
2 and 1/2 Cups Flour
1 teaspoon Baking Soda
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
5 Tablespoons Sugar
1 Cup Buttermilk, can be low fat/fat free

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Spray a 8" or 9 " Pyrex Pie Plate with PAM.
3. In a small bowl combine Raisins and boiling Water.  Let sit while preparing dough.
4. Melt Butter.  Cool.
5. In larger bowl, combine Flour, Baking Soda, Baking Powder & Sugar.
6. Add melted Butter to dry ingredients, stir in.
7. Add Buttermilk, stir.
8. Add drained Raisins, stir.
9. Shape into a ball after placing dough into pie plate.  Dough will be sticky.
10. Bake 15 Minutes at 400°F.
11. Lower oven to 375°F.  Bake 30 Minutes longer.
12. Remove the bread from pie plate and cool on rack.
13. After cooled, wrap in plastic wrap and aluminum foil.
14. Wait at least 5 hours before cutting into slices and eating.

I cut the bread into slices and then place in two sealed Ziploc Bags.  A half slice of Irish Soda Bread is a very tasty treat.  Extra slices do freeze well.

It's very difficult to enjoy only one half slice after the cooled bread is sliced!  So good!

Enjoy!
Yummy!
Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!