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Traditions: Irish Soda Bread

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Feeling lucky? You must have a bit of ol’ Irish in you.

Although the post is entitled “Traditions”, the only traditions I follow come St. Patrick’s Day are:

1) A Shamrock Shake from McDonald’s. I have no idea what’s in it, and I don’t care. Any comments that pertain to the ingredient list or bashing the nutritional composition will be deleted and the author may be banned. Don’t mess with my Shamrock Shake, y’all.

2) Women’s “The Rockstar” Super Skinny Jeans from Old Navy, in Imperial Jade. Also known as, the only time I confidently rock green jeans without wondering if my ass looks fat in green jeans.

(Spoiler Alert: Yes, it does.)

3) Irish Soda Bread. Man cannot live on bread alone, but when man slathers butter on a slice of this dense, satisfying loaf, it’s heavenly. Or saintly. Like St. Patrick’s Day. See what I did there?
Hamilton BeachFrom my good friends at Hamilton Beach, here’s a simple, easy-to-follow recipe you can make in advance of St. Paddy’s! You can find this delicious creation and more at Everyday Good Thinking, the official blog of Hamilton Beach. 

1 cup plus 2 tablespoons milk
1/4 cup butter, melted
2 tablespoons white vinegar
2 large eggs, slightly beaten
4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup golden raisins
1/2 cup raisins

Heat oven to 350°F.

In a large bowl, stir milk, butter, white vinegar, eggs, flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and raisins until just blended.

Divide mixture in half; shape into two round loaves. Cut an X in top of each loaf. (Dust the loaves with extra flour before cutting an X in the top if you like the floured appearance on the bread.) Place loaves on parchment paper-lined cookie sheet.

Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on wire racks.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Treen Goodwin

    Yummy sounds delish , i love raisin bread , especially toasted its so yummy thanks for sharing the recipe :)

  2. Judy Cowan

    I have never tried Irish Soda bread so I might just have to do that. Shamrock Shake, that is definitely a yearly tradition but I think I will take a pass on the green jeans!

  4. Margaret Imecs

    I will make this! I love bread with raisins! I’m always open to great recipes! Thanks Lena!

  5. Lindsay O

    Love Shamrock Shakes! Haven’t had one this year…I’m gonna have to remedy that. I’m Irish and I remember my grandmother making Irish Soda bread as a kid. For the life of me, I can’t remember if I liked it. Ha.

  6. kathy downey

    I have tried Irish Soda bread your recipe is a bit different than mine with give it a try

  11. Florence C

    I know my husband will love the bread. Thank you for sharing the recipe. I might be trying the Shamrock shake.

  12. nicolthepickle

    I haven’t had Soda bread in ages. This sounds amazing. There’s something about the texture of Soda bread. I should try the recipe.

  15. Anna W

    I keep wanting to try and make my own bread at home, this looks delicious! I will give it a try!

  16. Chandra Christine O'Connor

    my father in law was from Ireland, when we went to visit his sisters and brothers there, I watched how they made it. I make it all the time but we dont put the raisins in it. they didnt make it with raisins at his aunt’s house.

  17. Kirsten G.

    Thanks for sharing! I’ve never had it with raisins before. It’s really good with soup. My mom used to make it when she made soup or stew.

  18. Lynda Cook

    I love making my own bread, but I have never made Irish-Soda Bread before, looks very simple to do!!

  22. BobbiJo pentney

    I love traditional food, I will have to try this as my husband is Irish and Scotish.

  23. Susan T.

    This is such an easy bread recipe since it doesn’t even have to rise! It would be great in the afternoon with tea. (I love the Shamrock Shake too and I don’t even like mint!)

  24. Melinda L.

    Mmmmm I can picture myself biting into that bread right now. Have to give this a try.

  29. Debbie White Beattie

    I’ve never heard of this bread before but I like how they have to kinds of raisins.