Nana Reinharts Irish Soda Bread Recipes

NANA DOT'S IRISH SODA BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease 2 baking sheets.
• Stir together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and sugar in a large bowl until evenly blended. Cut in the butter using a pastry blender or your hands until the mixture resembles coarse cornmeal. Stir in the raisins, currants, and caraway seeds, then make a well in the center and pour in the milk and vinegar. Stir with a spoon until the dry ingredients are moistened.
• Turn the dough out onto a well floured work surface, and knead gently 8 to 10 times. Divide the dough into two balls, and place onto the prepared baking sheets.
• Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes, then reduce heat to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C), and bake until the top of the bread is golden brown, about 15 minutes more.

NANA'S IRISH SODA BREAD WITH WHISKEY SOAKED RAISINS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• In a small saucepan or in the microwave, bring the whiskey and honey to a boil and add the raisins or currants. Cover and off the heat. Set aside and let steep.
• Butter a round 1 1/2 to 2 quart baking dish, set aside.
• Add the flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt together in a large bowl; use a wire whisk to combine.
• In a small bowl, beat the eggs and stir in the sour cream, mixing well to combine.
• Add the egg mixture to the flour mixture, stir well with a wooden spoon (batter will be thick).
• Stir in the whiskey-soaked raisins or currants (along with the whiskey-honey they were steeped in); blend well.
• Turn batter into the prepared baking dish.
• Dust the top with flour and pat the batter evenly in the pan with your hands.
• Use a sharp knife to make a cross on the top.
• Bake for 50 minutes in preheated 350 F oven.
• Remove to a rack and let cool for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a serving dish. Cut into wedges and serve warm with real butter.