Irish Soda Bread and Whiskey Butter

Soak raisins overnight in whiskey until they're plump and fragrant, then bake them into this traditional Irish quick bread to serve with homemade whiskey butter.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 1 hr 10 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 25 mins
• Calories: 321 Calories

Ingredients

• ½ cup white sugar
• 1 cup raisins
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• ¼ cup butter, melted
• ½ cup whiskey
• 1 ⅓ cups buttermilk
• ½ cup butter at room temperature
• 1 tablespoon caraway seeds (Optional)
• 1 tablespoon grated orange peel (Optional)

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Step 2

Grease a 2-quart casserole dish.

Step 3

Place raisins in a small bowl; pour in whiskey and allow to soak overnight.

Step 4

The next day, drain raisins and reserve the leftover whiskey.

Step 5

Whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda in a large bowl.

Step 6

Stir drained raisins, orange peel, and caraway seeds into dry ingredients.

Step 7

Beat in buttermilk and 1/4 cup melted butter to make a thick batter.

Step 8

Transfer batter to prepared casserole dish.

Step 9

Bake in the preheated oven until top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 1 hour and 10 minutes.

Step 10

Beat 1/2 cup butter in a bowl until fluffy; beat in reserved whiskey, 1 teaspoon at a time, to taste. Serve with soda bread.