McNamara's Irish Soda Bread

A recipe handed down by my grandmother Anna Marie McNamara (nee Player). This is a great recipe for a light tea dessert bread. Delicious with light butter hot out of the oven. You can use any type of milk. I usually make this bread when my milk is about to go sour. I like to use raw crystallized sugar in place of the white granulated sugar. My father likes to use buttermilk.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 45 mins
• Total Time: 60 mins
• Calories: 200 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon white sugar
• ½ cup milk
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup raisins
• 9 tablespoons white sugar
• 3 ½ tablespoons butter, softened

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

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

Step 2

Grease an 8 1/2x4 1/2-inch loaf pan.

Step 3

Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, 9 tablespoons sugar, and salt in the mixing bowl of a large stand mixer on low speed until combined.

Step 4

Mix in butter until thoroughly combined.

Step 5

Beat in milk, then eggs, then raisins, incorporating each ingredient well before adding the next.

Step 6

Transfer dough to the prepared loaf pan and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon sugar.

Step 7

Bake in the preheated oven until bread has risen and the top is golden brown, about 45 minutes. A toothpick or cake tester inserted into the center should come out clean.

Step 8

Cool for about 10 minutes before slicing. Best served warm.