Irish Sour Cream Bread

Maureen in MA's Note:

This is a delicious twist on the traditional Irish Soda Bread, that omits the "soda" entirely and substitutes sour cream for the traditional buttermilk. I think it makes the loaf more moist, sweet and delicious. It has become my favorite version. My husband got it from a colleague, whose great-grandmother (Mary Moriarty, born in Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland in 1902) handed it down to her. Bravo Mary Moriarty!

• Total Time: 1 hrs 10 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 55 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 8-10

Yield: 1.0 large l ...

• 3 cups flour
• 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• 1 dash ground cinnamon
• ½-¾ cup sugar
• ½ cup butter or ½ cup margarine
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup sour cream
• 2 cups raisins (optional)
• 1 tablespoon caraway seed (optional)

Directions:

1. Sift first 3 ingredients together in Large bowl (#1).
2. Mix next 5 ingredients in Smaller bowl (#2).
3. Slowly mix Bowl #2 ingredients into Bowl #1 until well blended.
4. Mix in 2 cups of Raisins (and 1 tablespoons Caraway Seeds, if desired).
5. Pour into 9" greased and floured round cake pan and shape into round loaf. (Note: Batter will be sticky.).
6. Sprinkle the top with Cinnamon and/or Sugar, if desired.
7. With a sharp knife, make an "X" in the top of loaf.
8. Bake for 50-55 minutes at 350 degrees.
9. When toothpick comes out clean, the bread is done.

Reviews

[Greeny4444]

This was very good. It is similar to Irish Rosie's Irish Soda Bread in taste (I think) - a bit sweeter. I know I'm going against the intro of this recipe, but I did add 1/2 tsp. baking soda to "bowl #1" to balance out the sour cream. I also used softened butter (since the recipe didn't specify). I didn't add the optional raisins or caraway seeds, because of family preference. Made this for St. Patrick's Day to go with Corned Beef and Cabbage in Guinness. Thanks for posting this!

[Karen Elizabeth]

Amazing, I was so pleased with this. I've made it as a gift, so I will get feedback tomorrow, but it baked to perfection and smelled wonderful, DH complained that I always give the best stuff away! :lol: I did not use the optional raisins or caraway seed, but otherwise as directed. I was glad that you mentioned the batter would be sticky, otherwise I might have panicked a bit, I am not the best baker and wasn't sure what to expect! I sprinkled with cinnamon And castor sugar! Thanks Maureen for a lovely recipe, made for PAC Spring 2009!