Irish Soda Bread: A Family Recipe Passed Down Generations

St Patrick's Day is coming up quickly this week. It's the time of year where I use the family recipe for Irish soda bread. It was passed down from my grandmother, Rose Alice Corcoran, who was passed down the recipe from her mother, Bridget Connelly. Who knows how far back this recipe has been passed down? I was taught the recipe from my aunt Rose as my grandmother passed away when I was a little girl. 

I'm reminded of Steve Rockwood's speech about family recipes at RootsTech. He shared his grandmother's rocky road fudge recipe that has become a holiday tradition. Recipes can be captured online as memories through FamilySearch at https://familysearch.org/recipes.

Here is the Family Recipe: 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Sift together the following ingredients:

5 cups of flour 1 cup of sugar 1 teaspoon salt 2 heaping teaspoons of baking powder tip of teaspoon baking soda

Mix in 1 bar of butter with fingers (try to soften the butter prior - makes it easy to mix)

Add cup of raisins

Add approx 1.5 to 2 cups of whole milk, light or heavy cream (I personally use light cream)

Work with your hands until dough starts sticking together. Just keep adding milk or cream until it does.

My aunt taught me to make scones - they're poppable and easier to give out to friends and coworkers in the office.

Just put little balls of dough on ungreased cookie sheet and bake for approx 25-30 minutes. When toothpick comes out dry-they are done.

Depending on the size of your scones, this recipe can net anywhere from 4 to 6 dozen. Be prepared for a lot of scones!

Here is what the scones should look like before going into the oven

Here is the final result - they should be browned and be crisp on the outside but soft on the inside.

Enjoy!

What are some of your favorite family recipes?