Soda Bread

By John, 17 March, 2013
Region
Ireland
Description

Grandma's Irish Soda BreadThis is the recipe used by my grandmother, nee Peggy McBreen of Bailieborough, Co. Cavan, on 17 March. She passed on without ever writing it down. 

My sister Pegeen patiently reconstructed the recipe from our memories. We are agreed that she found Gram's recipe, as much as a "recipe" ever existed.  

Yield
12 Servings
Preparation time
1 hour
Ingredients
2 1⁄2 c Flour
3 T Sugar
1 t Baking Powder
1 t Baking Soda
1⁄4 t Salt
1 Eggs (lightly beaten)
1 c Buttermilk
1 c Raisins (or black currants)
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350.
  2. Combine dry ingredients.
  3. Lightly moisten with most of the buttermilk, reserving about a tablespoon.
  4. Mix in the raisins and knead lightly. A light touch is essential.
  5. Form into a round loaf and set in a buttered cake pan.
  6. Brush the top with the remaining buttermilk.
  7. With a sharp, wet knife, cut a bold cross into the top. (I sprinkle a little Demerara sugar on it at this point.)
  8. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes, then turn off the oven and let it rest 15 minutes more.
  9.  Cool on a rack before serving.
Notes
This recipe was reconstructed patiently by my sister Pegeen ("little Peggy", named for Gram), and met with unanimous approval by those familiar with Grandma's original. No caraway seeds.
Source
My Grandmother Peggy McBreen Sgammato, as recovered by my sister Pegeen Dossantos.