Kilkenny Soda Bread
Submitted by dachshundlady on March 15, 2010 at 6:25 pm
This recipe was in the NY Sunday News on March 9, 1969. It was given to me by an Irish co-worker who grew up in the NY metropolitan area. It is my family's favorite soda bread.
4 cups AP flour
1/4 cup sugar
1 teas salt
1 1/2 teas baking powder
1 table caraway seed (I omit)
1/3 cup cold butter, grated
2-3 cups raisins, regular, golden or both
1 1/3 cups buttermilk
1 egg
1 teas baking soda
In large bowl mix flour, sugar, salt and baking powder. Mix in caraway, if desired. Add grated cold butter and mix quickly with fingers to the consistency of cornmeal. Add raisins. In small bowl quickly mix buttermilk, egg and soda. Stir into dry mixture until just moistened. If necessary add 1 or 2 more table of buttermilk.
Turn out onto lightly floured board and knead gently until smooth. Place in greased 8 or 9 inch round pan. Cut cross in top about 1/2" deep. Bake at 350 until golden, anywhere from 50-70 minutes. Check with toothpick so only a few crumbs stick to it. Remove from oven and brush with melted butter. Cool on rack and cut into wedges.
Sometimes I divide the dough into 2 round loaves and bake for a shorter time. Either way, it is delicious!