As promised, here is my favorite Irish Soda Bread recipe. If you've never had (or made) Soda Bread, it is sweet and delicious. Every year I make a bunch of loaves and share with family and friends.

It's quick and easy and Irish, (and fun to make with your kids) so if you're looking for something fun to do today and a yummy snack, here is the recipe.

Erin's Irish Soda Bread

INGREDIENTS

3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup white sugar
1 1/2 cups buttermilk
1/2 cup raisins (Or more or less, depending on your family's likes/dislikes)
2 eggs
caraway seeds (if you want... I usually don't because the kids don't like them).

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Lightly grease a springform pan (or other round pan).

Combine flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar in large bowl.

Beat eggs with buttermilk. Add the eggs and buttermilk into the flour mixture and then stir in raisins. It will be sticky!

A lot of recipes say to pour the dough onto a lightly floured board, shape it, and then put it into the pan, but I have found that since it is so sticky, it is easier to just sort of pour it and shape it into the pan all at once and skip the board all together.

The loaf should be shaped into a round loaf (taller in the middle), adding a little flour if necessary, and you want it in a lightly greased springform pan (or other round pan). Sprinkle top with caraway seeds if desired and make a large X across the top with a butter knife.

Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 1 hour...when it is done, the bottom will sound "hollow" when tapped. It is divine served warm with butter. :)

Enjoy and Happy St. Patty's day!

We will be enjoying our Soda Bread, along with a traditional dinner of corned beef, cabbage and potatoes. Yummy!