Irish Raisin Soda Bread

I have made a few different Irish soda bread recipes before. There are several variations – plain white, whole wheat, multigrain, with raisins, flavored with molasses, etc. Usually I make healthy wheat versions, but this time I decided to make a white version with raisins. Soda bread doesn’t rise much and tends to be a bit heavy, so it is a good bread to have with a meal or as a hearty snack. It is especially nice toasted, with butter and honey or cheese.

Irish Raisin Soda Bread

2 ½ cups all-purpose (plain) flour

½ cup large-flake oats

¼ cup packed light brown sugar

1 teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

¼ cup cold butter or hard margarine, cubed

1 1/3 cups buttermilk

1 large egg

1 large lemon, zested

¾ cup raisins

additional milk and oats, as needed

Preheat oven to 375◦F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, stir together the flour, oats, sugar, soda, baking powder, and salt. Cut in the butter until mixture resembles coarse meal.

Whisk together the milk, egg, and zest. Stir into the flour mixture along with the raisins. Knead dough until it just comes together. Shape into a nine inch round, place on prepared baking sheet.

Score the top of the dough with a large X. Brush with a little milk and sprinkle with some additional oats. Bake for about an hour until bread is golden and sounds hollow when tapped.