Irish-American Soda Bread
 This Irish soda bread is dotted with currants and caraway seeds. Serve it as you would cornbread—as a breakfast, snack or side dish. Ingredients 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided 3 cups all-purpose flour, spooned into measuring cup and leveled-off ¾ cup sugar 1 tablespoon baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 1¾ teaspoons salt 1 tablespoon caraway seeds 1¾ cups buttermilk (see note) 2 large eggs, at room temperature 1½ cups dried currants 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided 3 cups all-purpose flour, spooned into measuring cup and leveled-off ¾ cup sugar 1 tablespoon baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 1¾ teaspoons salt 1 tablespoon caraway seeds 1¾ cups buttermilk (see note) 2 large eggs, at room temperature 1½ cups dried currants Instructions Preheat the oven to 350°F degrees and set the oven rack in the middle position. Smear 1 tablespoon of the butter evenly over the bottom and sides of a 10-inch cast iron skillet or two 8-inch nonstick cake pans. In a medium bowl, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter and let cool slightly. Whisk in the buttermilk and eggs. Set aside. In another large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and caraway seeds. Add the liquid ingredients and the currants to the dry ingredients. Fold with a rubber spatula until just combined. Do not overmix. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan(s) and smooth the top gently with a rubber spatula. Dot the top with the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Place the pan(s) in the oven and bake until the bread is puffed and golden brown, 45 to 50 minutes. Cool in the pan(s) and then cut into wedges and serve warm, or transfer the bread to a wire rack to continue cooling. This bread is best served fresh out of the oven, but keeps well if stored in an airtight container. Note: If you’d like to make your own buttermilk, check out the easy method here. Freezer-Friendly Instructions: The bread can be frozen for up to 3 months. Once it’s completely cooled, wrap it securely in plastic wrap and place in the freezer. To reheat, wrap the bread in aluminum foil and warm it in a 350°F oven until hot. Preheat the oven to 350°F degrees and set the oven rack in the middle position. Smear 1 tablespoon of the butter evenly over the bottom and sides of a 10-inch cast iron skillet or two 8-inch nonstick cake pans. In a medium bowl, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter and let cool slightly. Whisk in the buttermilk and eggs. Set aside. In another large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and caraway seeds. Add the liquid ingredients and the currants to the dry ingredients. Fold with a rubber spatula until just combined. Do not overmix. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan(s) and smooth the top gently with a rubber spatula. Dot the top with the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Place the pan(s) in the oven and bake until the bread is puffed and golden brown, 45 to 50 minutes. Cool in the pan(s) and then cut into wedges and serve warm, or transfer the bread to a wire rack to continue cooling. This bread is best served fresh out of the oven, but keeps well if stored in an airtight container. Note: If you’d like to make your own buttermilk, check out the easy method here. Freezer-Friendly Instructions: The bread can be frozen for up to 3 months. Once it’s completely cooled, wrap it securely in plastic wrap and place in the freezer. To reheat, wrap the bread in aluminum foil and warm it in a 350°F oven until hot. Nutrition Information Powered by Per serving (12 servings) Calories: 284 Fat: 0 g Saturated fat: 0 g Carbohydrates: 20 g Sugar: 18 g Fiber: 0 g Protein: 0 g Sodium: 3 mg Cholesterol: 0 mg Per serving (12 servings) Calories: 284 Fat: 0 g Saturated fat: 0 g Carbohydrates: 20 g Sugar: 18 g Fiber: 0 g Protein: 0 g Sodium: 3 mg Cholesterol: 0 mg