Irish Soda Bread

One day to go before St. Patrick's Day!  Why not make a quick, easy Irish Soda Bread?  I must admit, I have never made one before.  But this year, in my Cooking To Save spirit, I decided to make one instead of buying it.  My neighbor gave me her mother's recipe; I couldn't believe how easy it was! There's no yeast so don't get worried.  Her recipe was simple and quick to put together.  For classic recipes, I do think old recipes are usually the best.  As the saying goes, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it".  As it baked away, my whole house smelled delicious.  The one downside to Irish Soda Bread is that it doesn't last long; definitely best eaten warm or within a day.  My oldest, Ryan will attest to that... he walked in last night, decided he had to grill a piece and slather it with butter.  It was gone in a heartbeat! I love this recipe though, it calls for golden raisins.  The golden raisins really add a sweetness to it and make it extra good.  Why not surprise the family with a little Irish?  Depending on your wardrobe, it might be easier then wearing green!

Irish Soda Bread  from the files of Grace Davis

3 ½  cups sifted flour
2/3  cups sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 Tbl. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 ½  cups golden raisins
1  Tbl. caraway seeds
2 eggs
1 ½ cups buttermilk
2 Tbl. melted butter

Preheat  oven  to 375 (350 for glass).  Grease a 9” loaf pan or   2 ½ quart bowl.  Sift together flour, sugar,salt,powder,and soda.  Add raisins and caraway seeds to dry ingredients and toss to coat raisins.  In a small bowl mix eggs,buttermilk and melted butter.  Pour onto the dry ingredients, mixing just until moist.  Bake for  1 hour.  If using a glass bowl, leave in the oven  about 1 hour more with the heat off.