Irish Soda Bread

I really don’t know why, but I’ve always had an affinity for all things Irish.  And bread. So it makes perfect sense to me that I would especially favor this traditional Irish Soda Bread, doesn’t it?

It is especially good served along with an Guinness Irish Beef Stew or Irish Lamb Stew. But you can do like I most often do and just slather it with a splurge of some softened Irish butter.  I don’t overindulge, but you can bet your shamrocks that I’ll be snacking down on a slice or two come St. Patrick’s Day.  

You are welcome to join me.

I sometimes cheat just a tad and make this in my bread machine, but I wanted you to see a traditional round loaf.  Plus, it does get a little crustier when cooked in the oven. Another trick I like to use is to cook it on my pizza stone, but you certainly don’t have to have one in order to bake this bread.

It is best eaten fresh within a day or two at the most.  That’s usually not a problem at our house, however, since it tends to be gone by the first day anyway.