Thursday Treat Day: St. Patrick's Day Irish Soda Bread

Baking is a BVF fav and we especially enjoy baking for special occasions and festivities. With St. Patrick's Day a few days away, its the perfect time of year to bake a delicious batch of Irish Soda Bread. 

Bon Appétite!!

Ingredients 

4 cups all-purpose flour

4 tablespoons caster sugar

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 cup raisins (optional) 

1 tablespoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

Flour for surfacing the counter or cutting board. 

1/2 cup butter , softened

1 cup low fat buttermilk

1  egg

Butter mixture for when the soda bread is baking

1/4 cup butter, melted

1/4 cup buttermilk 

Quick tip: Using ingredients at room temperature helps bind  all of your ingredients together better. 

Preheat oven to 190 degrees C 

Directions

Combine and mix together dry ingredients, raisins, and butter in a large dish. Mix in 1 cup of buttermilk and egg. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead slightly. 

Form dough into a round and place on a lightly greased baking sheet. In a small bowl, combine melted butter with 1/4 cup buttermilk; brush loaf with this mixture. Use a sharp knife to cut an 'X' into the top of the loaf.

Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean Check for doneness approximately 30 minutes into baking and every 5-7 minutes following. You may continue to brush the loaf with the butter mixture while it bakes.