Irish Soda Bread

St. Patrick’s Day always causes me to think about Grandma Dorothy and her Irish Soda Bread.

Grandma (at 104)

So, in honor of my Irish heritage, and wanting to share with neighbors, I made a batch of

loaves in a basket

bread. Though I gave them a modern twist — dried cranberries and cherries instead of the traditional raisins. Baked into mini loves and tied with a green ribbon  they were ready to deliver.

 I give you:

Grandma Dorothy’s Irish Soda Bread

I like to use King Arthur flour, it tastes better than others

8 cups flour
1 1/3 cup sugar
1 tablespoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

2 eggs – beaten
3/4 cup oil
3 cups buttermilk

2 cups raisins
–or—
use any combination of your favorite dried fruit such as:
cranberries, cherries, and apricots (chop the bigger fruit into small pieces)
to equal 2 cups

optional – 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

Grease two large loaf pans or eight mini loaf pans.

Set oven to 350

In a large bowl, mix the dry ingredients together.
In a separate, bowl mix together the eggs, oil, and buttermilk.

Add the liquids to the flour mix. Stir with a large spoon.
Mix in the raisins (traditional) or the cranberries and cherries and if you wish the nuts.

Divide among your pans.

For mini loaves bake 35 minutes
For large loaves bake 60 minutes

Enjoy!