Irish Soda Bread

Happy March (a few days late)! I spent this weekend celebrating March so much that I didn't have time to post this Irish Soda Bread. Better late than never, right? Plus, what recipe is more appropriate to post for the month of March and the upcoming St. Patrick's Day than a traditional Irish quick bread? So without further ado, let's chat about this bread.

First of all, I'm in love with quick breads. There isn't much better than freshly baked bread. The smells that fill your kitchen and the delicious soft, chewy, warm bread is hard to beat. I've posted Beer Bread and Buttermilk Oat Loaf, which are two of my favorite quick breads, and now I'm adding this Irish Soda Bread to that list.

I found this recipe written on an index card from years ago. I got the recipe from my grandmother, who I still call Memaw to this day, after a dinner party. I remember being so in love with this bread that I was determined to get the recipe and make it myself. I was a foodie, even as a teenager.

Even after all of these years, this quick bread recipe is still one of my favorites. It's hard to beat a recipe that is mixed and ready for the oven in 5 minutes. In under an hour, you have a freshly baked loaf of crusty bread with a soft, chewy center. Spread butter and jam on a slice or just eat it plain; either way, it's hard to imagine someone not falling in love with this recipe.

Irish Soda Bread
(10-12 servings)

2 cups whole wheat flour
2 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp baking powder
2 cups low-fat buttermilk

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a standard bread pan with cooking spray.

Mix all of the ingredients together until you have a soft dough. If too dry, add a bit more buttermilk. If too sticky, add a bit more flour. Be careful not to over mix the dough.

Pour the bread mixture into prepared pan. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until bread is done and golden brown. Cool in pan for 10 minutes before removing to wire rack to cool completely.

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Nutritional Info
Servings Per Recipe: 12
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 150.7
Total Fat: 0.7 g
Cholesterol: 1.6 mg
Sodium: 236.7 mg
Total Carbs: 31.3 g
Fiber: 3.1 g
Sugars: 2.0 g
Protein: 6.0 g

Pros:
-Quick and easy to prepare
-Simple list of ingredients
-Delicious bread with a crusty exterior and soft and chewy center
-Non-yeast bread that doesn't require rising or kneading
-Versatile-mix in currants or raisins to make a sweet version

Cons:
-Best if eaten within two or three days