Description

Irish Soda Bread is a quick bread with a tangy taste from the Buttermilk and a subtle sweetness from the raisins and fennel seeds.

Ingredients

4 cups all-purpose flour ¼ cup sugar 2 teaspoons Kosher salt 1 teaspoon Baking Soda 3-4 tablespoons dried fennel seeds (Optional) 1 cup raisins (optional) 1 egg 1 ¾ Butter Milk 2 tablespoons butter, melted

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F Lightly coat the bottom of a 10 inch cast iron skillet or use a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Add the raisins to a small bowl, cover with hot water and soak for 30 minutes. In a large bowl add the flour, sugar, salt, fennel seeds and Baking Soda, whisking to mix thoroughly. Strain the raisins, pat dry with a paper towel and add to the dry ingredients, stir to coat. In a medium size bowl add the egg and beat, then add the Buttermilk, mixing to combine then add the butter and mix. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix well (If needed add additional Buttermilk to bring together (The dough should hold together but it will be quite sticky). Lightly dust the top and sides of the dough with flour (In the bowel) Coat your hands in flour and form a ball with the dough. Place the formed dough on the prepared skillet or baking sheet. Scour the top of dough in a cross pattern about a ½ inch deep, place in the center of a preheated oven and bake for 35-45 minutes. Loaf should be golden brown on all sides and the crust should be solid. Internal temp should be 195 F in the center. Allow to cool for at least 20 minutes before slicing.

Serves

1 round loaf should yield 15-20 1 inch slices.

Irish Soda Bread