Happy St. Patrick’s Day! We Americans love this holiday. But most of the things we associate it with it are . . . not so authentic. My Irish friend told me the first time she ever ate corned beef and cabbage was at an American St. Pat’s day party.

This soda bread, however, is completely authentic and completely delicious. The recipe comes from my sister who spent several years living in England and lots of time touring and studying in Ireland. Studded with raisins and baked a golden brown, it’s a perfect accompaniment to your “traditional” Irish foods.

 Irish Soda Bread

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3 cups flour

1/2 tsp baking soda

2 T sugar

1/4 c raisins (call them sultanas if you want to be more Irish)

1 egg (beaten)

1 cup buttermilk

2 T butter, melted

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a cast iron oven-safe frying pan, if you have one, or you can use a regular old cookie sheet or baking stone.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, soda and sugar. Toss the raisins with the flour mixture until coated. (This keeps them from sinking to the bottom of the dough.)

Make a well in the centre and add the egg, buttermilk and melted butter. Stir gently until all of the dry ingredients are absorbed.

Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for a few quick turns just to even out the dough. Handle the dough as little as possible to keep the bread tender.

Pat the dough into a flat circle, and place into the prepared pan. (If using a cookie sheet or baking stone, it’s easiest to use parchment paper as a liner.) Bake the bread for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the edges are golden.

Sláinte agus táinte!  Health and wealth!

Want more? Check out the Highchair Travelers Pinterest Page for more crafts, recipes and ideas from Ireland.