Irish Soda Bread

Soda bread is simple to make. It does not need to rise and it takes less than 5 minutes to knead. This soda bread recipe came from County Cork in Ireland by way of my great grandfather’s cousin.

4 cups all-purpose white flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons shortening
2 ½ cups of lowfat buttermilk
½ cup raisins

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 10 inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.

Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and sugar into a mixing bowl.

Add shortening and mix together with your hands until shortening is combined with dry mixture. Add raisins (optional). Add buttermilk a little at a time and continue to combine with your hands. Reserve 2 tablespoons of buttermilk. Combine and lightly knead the dough for a couple of minutes.

Form the dough into a dome shape and make an “X” with a knife on top of the loaf. Brush with buttermilk. Bake bread in a greased Dutch oven 10 inches across.

Bake for 45 minutes on 350°F. Check bread by inserting a toothpick. If the toothpick comes out clean it is done, if not continue to bake, checking every 5 minutes. Cover the bread with tin foil to ensure the top doesn’t get over cooked.


Serving Size: Makes 14 2 inch pieces