Irish Soda Bread (with Raisins)

Adapted from a recipe courtesy Cathy Lowe

Rated: 4 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (12)

RECIPE
COMMENTS & REVIEWS(12)

Cook Time:
45 min
Level:
Easy
Yield:
4 to 6 servings

Times:

Prep: 30 min
Inactive Prep: 45 min
Cook: 45 min
Total:: 2 hr 0 min

Recipe Tools:

Select a Card Size

Add To My Recipe Box

Success

This recipe was added to your Folder_Name folder.

Do not show this message again

Add To My Recipe Box

Please sign in to add this recipe to your Recipe Box.

Ingredients

2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
6 tablespoons solid shortening (recommended: Crisco)
2/3 cup raisins, brown or golden or mixed
2 teaspoons caraway seeds
1 cup buttermilk

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

In a large bowl sift together the flour, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, and sugar. Using a pastry blender or fingertips, work the shortening into the flour until the consistency is the same as that of small peas. Stir in the raisins and caraway and mix to distribute evenly. Gradually stir in the buttermilk, 1/4 cup at a time, using only enough to allow the dough to come together. Knead the dough for 1 to 2 minutes. Shape the dough into a round loaf and place on a greased baking sheet. Cut an X on the top and over the sides of the loaf. Bake for 45 minutes or until the bread sounds hollow when tapped. Cool on a rack

Next Recipe

More recipes? Try these recommendations:

Similar Recipes

All About…

Recipe Collections

Showing 1-10 of 32

View all 32 Side Dish Collections

Comments & Reviews

recipe Irish Soda Bread (with Raisins)
Renee Clinton, NC 03-16-2009
Flag

It was okay
Rated: 3 stars out of 5

I have never made this before. It turned out okay, but I am not sure if I will make it again.
recipe Irish Soda Bread (with Raisins)
Kathleen M Brooklyn Park, MN 03-15-2009
Flag

Irish Soda Bread
Rated: 3 stars out of 5

4 cups sifted flour 1 tsp soda 1 tsp salt 2 cups buttermilk Optional: 1 -2 tsp sugar Optional: 1/2 cup golden raisins... or currants. Preheat oven to 450 Sift dry ingredients together, fold in raisins/currants, make a well in the middle - pour in 3/4's buttermilk, blend together with a fork, kneed with hands to judge consistency (it should be soft like a baby's bottom) - add a little more buttermilk if needed. Turn on to floured board - divide dough in half - knead 3 - 4 times. Place dough mounds in 2 greased 8" cake pans, pat dough mound slightly down, cut a + in top 1/2 through thickness - brush remaining buttermilk on loaf. Place pans in oven - back for 30 min. Test by thumping on bottom - a hollow sound will prove it is done. Remove immediately from pan and place on a tea towel -covered cooling rack - wrap tea towel over the top of the loaves. If you can wait as long as 15 minutes - slice the loaf and enjoy with butter and marmalade. yumm. This can be used also with wheat flour - you may have to up the buttermilk a bit. I got his recipe from a cottage owner in Lisdoonvarna, Co Clare!Read more
recipe Irish Soda Bread (with Raisins)
Peggy Vienna, VA 03-12-2009
Flag

Raisens or Not Raisens
Rated: 4 stars out of 5

I haven't made this recipe, but the soda bread recipe I have been making for last 30 years is very close and includes raisens... and caraway seeds -- just as my mother used who was born and raised in Ireland. She was authentic and so was her soda bread. However, I have a running argument with my Dublin-born neighbor about raisens. I use butter (I can't imagine an Irishman not using butter) and I don't use nutmeg but I might give it a try (I love nutmeg in zucchini bread). Sometimes I slice an apple very thin to the ingredients -- keeps it moist longer.Read more
recipe Irish Soda Bread (with Raisins)
peter lake hiawatha, NJ 03-03-2009
Flag

"Irish Soda Bread" (with Raisins) - well, maybe...
Rated: 4 stars out of 5

This recipe looks good, in fact it's very similar to one that I've been making for years. However it will produce what... the Irish might call "Tea Bread", or what one of my chums calls "Narrowback Soda Bread", i.e. a bread gussied up with raisins, spices, sugar, and caraway. It's NOT real Soda Bread, which should contain only four things: Flour (preferably soft-wheat); soda; salt; and sour milk or buttermilk. Read more
recipe Irish Soda Bread (with Raisins)
Rachael Columbus, OH 03-02-2009
Flag

Spotted Dick
Rated: 3 stars out of 5

This is a nice bread, but REAL Irish Soda Bread does not have raisins. Their addition makes this Spotted Dick. Check out... Wickipedia.Read more
recipe Irish Soda Bread (with Raisins)
Denise Suzanne East Moriches, NY 02-28-2009
Flag

Buttermilk Bread (Irish Soda) Anytime!!!!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

This was so easy to make, even my grandson helped me!!!! Used butter instead of shortening, but loved the moist dense bread... it produced. Omitted the caraway seeds and nutmeg. Used superfine sugar on the top after I cross scored the top of the bread. THIS IS A KEEPER RECIPE FOR ALL OCCASIONS.Read more