American Irish Soda Bread

American Irish Soda Bread is a slightly sweeter and denser version of the traditional Irish soda bread, often made with buttermilk and baking soda instead of yeast. Here’s a simple recipe to make this classic bread at home:

Ingredients:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 1 ¼ cups buttermilk (or substitute with 1 ¼ cups milk + 1 tablespoon white vinegar or lemon juice)
• 1 cup raisins or currants (optional, but traditional in American Irish soda bread)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven:

   • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease or line a round 8-9 inch baking pan or a baking sheet.

2. Mix Dry Ingredients:

   • In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt. Stir everything together to ensure it’s evenly distributed.

3. Cut in the Butter:

   • Add the cubed cold butter to the dry ingredients. Use a pastry cutter, fork, or your fingers to work the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs (like breadcrumbs). If you’re using a stand mixer, use the paddle attachment on low speed to combine.

4. Add Wet Ingredients:

   • Pour in the buttermilk (or the milk/vinegar substitute). Stir gently until the dough just comes together. If you’re adding raisins or currants, fold them in at this point.

5. Shape the Dough:

   • Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead it gently a few times until it forms a rough ball. Be careful not to overwork the dough, as you want to keep it tender.

6. Prepare for Baking:

   • Shape the dough into a round loaf and place it onto your prepared baking sheet or into the greased pan.
   • Use a sharp knife to score an “X” shape on the top of the dough. This helps the bread cook evenly and gives it that classic look.

7. Bake:

   • Bake in the preheated oven for 35-45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown, and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The bread should sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.

8. Cool:

   • Let the bread cool for a few minutes on a wire rack before slicing. It’s best served warm, with butter or jam.

Notes:

• If you prefer a more savory version, you can omit the sugar and raisins.
• Some variations add caraway seeds for extra flavor, but this is optional and more common in traditional Irish soda bread.

This American Irish Soda Bread is hearty and perfect for St. Patrick’s Day or any time you’re craving a comforting, quick bread. Enjoy!