I have never made Irish soda bread until today, and now that I know how simple it is I will be making it quite often! I made mine sweeter than the traditional recipe, because that’s how I do! Hope you enjoy this as much as my friends have! Happy St. Patrick’s day!
Sweet Irish Soda Bread
3 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups buttermilk
3/4 cup raisins
Preheat your oven to 425 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Mix the dry ingredients until evenly combined (including raisins). In a small bowl combine the buttermilk and vanilla extract. Add the buttermilk mix to the dry ingredients and mix just until combined, handling as little as possible so the dough does not become tough. Place the sticky dough on the the baking sheet in a round mound. Pat it into shape. Press an deep X on the top. Bake for 15 minutes at 425 degrees, then turn the heat down to 400 degrees and bake for 25 more minutes. The bread will be lightly browned and sound hollow inside when you pat it.
Orange Honey Butter
1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 tablespoon fresh squeezed orange juice
1 teaspoon orange zest
1/4 cup honey
Combine all ingredients until smooth. Spread onto warm bread. Let that melt in your mouth. Yes, that’s it. Yummm.
