Irish Soda Bread

A continuation from my St. Patrick's Day blog...

Why can't we make Soda Bread all year round?! It's so tasty and easy to make.
But why is it called soda bread you ask??
*Soda bread is a variety of quick bread traditionally made in a variety of cuisines in which sodium bicarbonate (otherwise known as baking soda) is used as a leavening agent instead of the more common yeast.

Traditional Irish Soda Bread is made with only flour, baking soda, buttermilk, and salt.

• 3 cups flour, sifted
• 2 Tbs sugar
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup raisins
• 1 1/2 cups buttermilk

Preheat the oven to 350°

In a large bowl, sift the flour and then add the sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.

Mix until well incorporated.

Add the raisins and buttermilk.

Combine until dough is sticky, but easy to handle.

Kneed a few times on a floured surface and then place in a parchment lined 9 inch cake pan.

Cut a big X into the top of the bread.

Bake for 65 minutes.