Favorite Irish Soda Bread 🍀

This is my favorite Irish Soda Bread because
it is so light & moist and has a wonderful flavor!

Ingredients:

parchment paper

avocado or olive oil spray

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour

2 tablespoons packed brown sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt (I used pink Himalayan salt)

3 tablespoons cold butter

1 cup sour cream or plain unsweetened Greek yogurt

3/4 cup buttermilk or sour milk*

2 eggs

1/2 cup raisins

2 teaspoons caraway seeds (optional)**

Method:

Preheat oven to 375*. Line a baking sheet or the bottom of a cast iron skillet with parchment paper. Lightly spray with oil and set aside.

Whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, soda and salt in a large bowl. Cut the butter into twelve small cubes and add to the flour mixture. Use a large fork to "cut" the butter into the flour. Finish blending the butter in with your fingers to make a fine crumb texture.

Whisk together the sour cream, buttermilk and one of the eggs together in a small bowl.

Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Add the buttermilk mixture all at once to the dry ingredients and stir just until the ingredients are combined.

Fold in the raisins and caraway seeds. Place a sheet of parchment paper or a silicone mat on the counter. Dust with flour. Turn the dough onto the prepared surface. Dust the top of the dough and gently knead the dough with floured hands. Shape the dough into a round loaf and place on the prepared baking sheet or in the skillet.

Cut an X on top of the loaf. In a small bowl, whisk the remaining egg until blended. Brush on top of the loaf. (Save the remaining egg for making scrambled eggs.) Bake for 30 to 35 minutes.

Allow to cool for 10 minutes. Use a serrated knife to slice the bread. Serve warm with butter. Makes 8 long slices. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 days or in the refrigerator for longer. (It will probably be eaten in a few days!) 😄

*If milk goes sour, even though it smells bad, don't throw it out because it can be used in any recipe that calls for buttermilk.

**I like the flavor that the caraway seeds add, but if you don't like rye bread, you probably will not like caraway seeds.

Note: This Irish Soda Bread is lighter than other versions ~ It is perfect for breakfast, snack or with coffee and tea time.