6 October 2012, Day 123, Part 2

When the first cold weather of the season arrives before the heater is turned on there's only one thing to do: fire up the oven and bake some Irish soda bread! This is my mother's recipe, which, as you can see, is nice and bready. I sometimes make another recipe--one that is baked in a cast-iron skillet and is closer in consistency to a scone. I like them both. 

PS. The runty little thing on the end was made from the last bits of batter. It's just the right size for tomorrow's breakfast.

Since i'm feeling magnanimous today, here's the recipe:

Mom's Irish Soda Bread

(Makes 2 loaves)

3 cups sifted all-purpose flour

2/3 cup sugar

1 tbs. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

1 1/2 cups raisins or currants

2 eggs, well beaten

1 3/4 cups buttermilk

2 tbs. melted butter

1 to 2 tbs. caraway seeds (optional)

Sift dry ingredients

Stir in raisins

Add remaining ingredients, mixing only until dry ingredients are moistened/blended -- do not over mix

Turn mixture into greased loaf pans

Bake at 350 for 45 min. to 1 hour (text with toothpick for doneness)