#COOKING WITH CLORIS--IRISH SODA BREAD

In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, here’s a recipe for Irish Soda Bread. And here’s a fun fact: Do you know why traditionally a cross is scored on the top of the bread before baking? It’s to ward off evil spirits.

Irish Soda Bread

Ingredients:

2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons sugar

1 tablespoon caraway seeds

3 tablespoons softened butter

1/2 cup raisins

3/4-1 cup buttermilk

Preheat oven to 275 degrees F.

Soak raisins in warm water.

Mix together all dry ingredients. Cut butter into dry ingredients until mixture forms fine crumbs. Drain raisins and add.

Slowly add buttermilk, stirring until dough leaves sides of bowl.

Turn out dough onto lightly floured surface. Knead until smooth, about 1-2 minutes. Shape into round loaf, approximately 6-7” in diameter. Place on cookie sheet. Using floured knife, cut an X 1/2” deep into loaf.

Allow loaf to sit for about 20 minutes, then bake 35-45 minutes or until crust turns golden brown.