Irish Soda Bread
the Editors of Publications International, Ltd.
Irish Soda Bread
Yield
Makes 12 servings
Ingredients
| 4 | cups all-purpose flour |
| 1/4 | cup sugar |
| 1 | tablespoon baking powder |
| 1 | teaspoon baking soda |
| 1 | teaspoon salt |
| 1 | tablespoon caraway seeds |
| 1/3 | cup shortening |
| 1 | cup raisins or currants |
| 1 | egg |
| 1-3/4 | cups buttermilk* |
*Soured fresh milk can be substituted for buttermilk. To sour milk, combine 2 tablespoons lemon juice plus enough milk to equal 1-3/4 cups. Stir; let stand 5 minutes before using.
Preparation
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease large baking sheet; set aside.
- Sift flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt into large bowl. Stir in caraway seeds. Cut in shortening with pastry blender or 2 knives until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in raisins. Beat egg in medium bowl. Add buttermilk; beat until well blended. Add buttermilk mixture to flour mixture; stir until mixture forms soft dough that clings together and forms a ball.
- Turn out dough onto well-floured surface. Knead dough gently 10 to 12 times. Place dough on prepared baking sheet. Pat dough into 7-inch round. Score top of dough with tip of sharp knife, making an "X" about 4 inches long and 1/4 inch deep.
- Bake 55 to 60 minutes or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Immediately remove from baking sheet; cool on wire rack.** Bread is best eaten the day it is made.
Check out more recipes for European
