Irish soda bread

Irish soda bread

Ingredients/Components

• sugar - 3 Tbsp
• salt
• flour
• buttermilk - 1 c
• baking soda - 1/2 tsp
• margarine - 2 Tbsp
• caraway seed - 1 Tbsp
• dark seedless raisins - 3/4 c
• active dry yeast undissolved - 1 pkg

How to make irish soda bread:

In a small mixer bowl, thoroughly mix all dry ingredients (except raisins). Combine buttermilk and margarine in a saucepan and heat on low until liquid is very warm (margarine does not need to melt). Gradually add liquid to dry ingredients; beat 2 minutes at medium speed, scraping bowl occasionally. Add 1/4 cup flour; beat at high speed for 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Stir in raisins and enough additional flour to make a soft dough. Cover; let rise in warm place until doubled in bulk. Punch dough down and turn out onto lightly floured board. Knead 20 times, forming a smooth, round ball. Place on greased baking sheet; press dough to flatten into an 8-inch circle. Cover; let rise until doubled in bulk. Sprinkle dough lightly with flour, then cut a shallow cross in top of dough. Bake at 350° for 30 minutes or until done. Cool on wire rack.

Recipe categories: Breads, Quick breads, Irish.