Real Irish Soda Bread

DeSouter's Note:

I have never found an Irish Soda Bread recipe (or commericially available loaf) that can hold a candle to this recipe. It is simple to make and you can also mix the dry ingredients, add a hang-tag listing the wet ingredients and baking instructions and you have an outrageously good gift. This is an absolutely authentic Irish recipe, and if you have never had a Soda Bread with fruit or caraway, it is probably due to the baker's preference to omit it, cost cutting measures or the way in which this recipe is prepared in a few regions of the country. Note: If you don't like caraway seeds, currants or raisins, don't add them. And don't overmix this dough. I blend wet and dry ingredients with a large spooon only until incorporated. Also, if like Pretty111, you provide a low-star review because you THINK the recipe isn't traditional, don't bother. This recipe is not listed as "traditional", just delicious. I think that if you do not try a recipe, you have some nerve giving it a low-star review. It is just unfair.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 5 mins
• Prep Time: 5 mins
• Cook Time: 1 hrs

Ingredients:

Serves: 16

Yield: 1.0 tasty l ...

• 3 cups flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1 pinch cream of tartar
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup sour cream or 1 cup plain yogurt
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 1 tablespoon caraway seed (I think they are a must) (optional)
• 1/2-3/4 cup currants or 1/2-3/4 cup raisins
• 1 tablespoon uncooked oatmeal

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees farenheit.
2. Butter and flour a pie plate or round cake pan.
3. Sprinkle uncooked oats on the bottom of the pan.
4. Combine dry ingredients and currants.
5. Mix melted butter, eggs and then buttermilk and sour cream.
6. Stir in dry ingredients only until incorporated.
7. Put dough into a prepared pie pan, in a mound with a rounded top.
8. Cut an X in the top of the loaf.
9. Bake for 50 minutes.

Reviews

[Wylder]

This isn't "Real Irish Soda Bread" . That is, if by "real" you mean traditional. The traditional didn't even include half of these ingredients. Sorry if I'm being rude, but the original recipes are nothing like this one.

[Chef #726369]

I have to agree with Wylder. I've spent plenty of time in Ireland. This is not a traditional Irish soda bread...Northern-white/farl. Southern-brown/cake. Albeit, this recipe may be good, it does not resemble the authentic soda breads in the least. This resembles more of a tea bread than a soda.

[LaRiti]

Great recipe - but one glaring omission is no salt. I added a half teaspoon (it would be a bland bread without the salt). I didn't have buttermilk, but soured milk worked just fine. Really fabulous, flavorful bread. This was my first try with Irish Soda Bread, which I usually find dry and too crumbly. The four of us scarfed nearly the whole loaf!!