Irish Soda Bread with Raisins and Caraway

"I have never made this, and doubt I ever will, since I'm not a fan or raisins. The reason for this submission is that this was a favorite recipe from Chef Jerry O'Leary, who worked in the corporate dining room at Cantor Fitzgerald's in the World Trade Center. Jerry lost his life on Sept 11. Taken from Oct 2002 issue of "Bon Apetit.""
 
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photo by May I Have That Rec photo by May I Have That Rec
photo by May I Have That Rec
photo by May I Have That Rec photo by May I Have That Rec
photo by wilkiethegrid photo by wilkiethegrid
photo by Kinako photo by Kinako
photo by ALEES9389 photo by ALEES9389
Ready In:
1hr 35mins
Ingredients:
10
Serves:
8-10
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ingredients

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directions

  • Preheat oven to 350.
  • Generously butter heavy ovenproof 10 to 12-inch diameter skillet with 2- to 2 1/2-inch-high sides.
  • Whisk first 5 ingredients in large bowl to blend.
  • Add butter, using fingertips, rub in until coarse crumbs form.
  • Stir in raisins and caraway seeds.
  • Whisk buttermilk and egg in medium bowl to blend.
  • Add to dough; using wooden spoon, stir just until incorporated.
  • Dough will be very sticky.
  • Transfer dough to prepared skillet; smooth top, mounding slightly in center.
  • Using small sharp knife dipped into flour, cut 1-inch-deep X in top center of dough.
  • Bake until bread is cooked through and tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 1 hour 15 minutes.
  • Cool bread in skillet 10 minutes.
  • Turn out onto rack and cool completely.

Questions & Replies

  1. Has anyone tried this with less sugar? perhaps a half cup rather than a full cup?
     
  2. How can I print the recipe?
     
  3. I would like to divide this into two and bake on a baking stone. Possible?
     
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Reviews

  1. I made it and used less rasins because I only had 3 snack size boxes in the house and I also used 1/2 T less of the caraway seeds. It came out yummy.
     
    • Review photo by ALEES9389
  2. Wow! I don't know what traditional Irish Soda Bread tastes like so I'm calling this recipe it. I ran out of AP flour so I used two cups of Bread flour to make up the five total. I used 1 1/2 cups of zanti currants 1/2 cup Golden raisins and 1/2 cup of dried cranberries to make up the dried fruit. Then I pumped up the fruit by macerating in 1/4 cup of Johnny Walker Green.(Scottish I know but same effect). The photo shows I was able to shape it so I could bake it on a stone. I took about an hour to get a clean toothpick. It is very sticky dough to work with like a giant biscuit. All of my family and friends said it was the best they had ever had. This will be my traditional Irish Soda Bread.
     
  3. Tastes great with the Open-face Corned Beef and Cheese Sandwiches With Pickled Onions recipe on this site. Try substituting 2 cups of whole wheat and 1 cup of oats for 3 cups of white flour.
     
  4. Extremely tasty. Is a bit messy to prepare, but the wonderful taste and rate at which it disappears makes it well worth it! Really, really good!
     
  5. Quick & easy to prepare. Many soda bread recipes are bland. This was very tasty. I used a 12" skillet and it easily served 22. Positive comments from everyone. I will make it part of my annual St. Patrick's Day dinner.
     
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Tweaks

  1. I soak the raisins/currants in irish whiskey and use wheat flour. I make the buttermilk with regular mile + white vinegar or lemon juice.
     
  2. yogurt for buttermilk, half cake flour, half bread flour
     
  3. Tastes great with the Open-face Corned Beef and Cheese Sandwiches With Pickled Onions recipe on this site. Try substituting 2 cups of whole wheat and 1 cup of oats for 3 cups of white flour.
     

RECIPE SUBMITTED BY

What can I say about myself that hasn't already been mentioned in the police reports? Just kidding! I'm a single guy who loves to cook! Good thing, or I'd starve or go broke eating out! I love to read, horror and mysteries are my favorite. Love music, (except rap) and I'm a huge Green Bay Packer Fan!
 
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