NANA CONNELLY’S IRISH BREAD

So quick, so easy, so tasty!!!!

This is an Irish bread you really must try for St. Patrick's Day or any day.  It is an old family recipe which comes from Mary, Nelda's Irish neighbor in Maine.  It should be served either warm or toasted, but we found it delightful at room temperature.


This is not a soda bread which is probably why I like it so well.  I think it has a much more pleasant flavor than soda bread.  There is little oil in the recipe so it does get dry quickly.  Nelda freezes it sliced, then brings it out for breakfast and toasts it.


The caraway seeds add a spicy zing which sets off the sweetness of the raisins and the bread.  We like this bread so well, we almost ate a whole loaf when it came out of the oven.

Delightful!!!!

NANA CONNELLY'S IRISH BREAD
An old family recipe which is perfect for celebrating St. Patrick's Day or to add to the menu for a tea party.

2 ¼ c flour

¾ to 1 c sugar, I used 3/4 cup

2 ¼ t baking powder

¼ t salt

1 egg, beaten

1 c milk

¼ c vegetable oil

½ (14oz) box dark raisins, a scant 1 1/2-cup

Caraway seeds, optional (I used 1 teaspoon which was perfect for us.)

Butter, melted
Sugar

Ingredients:  Flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, egg, milk, vegetable oil, dark raisins, caraway seeds, and  butter.

Preheat oven to 350°.  In a bowl, mix dry ingredients together.  Add egg, milk and oil to dry ingredients.  Mix just until flour is absorbed.  Add raisins and caraway seeds, if desired.  Put into a greased (I use cooking spray) iron skillet or loaf pan.  I used 2-loaf pans which are 7 1/2 x 3 1/2-inch pans.  Top with butter and sugar.  Bake for 50 minutes.  Soda bread is often removed immediately from pans and wrapped in dish towels to cool.  We sliced it warm and enjoyed!!!!

In a bowl, combine dry ingredients.

Beat egg (I beat it into the oil).  Add milk, vegetable oil, and egg to dry ingredients.

Mix just until flour is absorbed.

Add raisins and caraway seeds.  Mix to combine.

Ready to put into loaf pans.

Spray pans with cooking spray.

Add batter to pans.  Dab top with butter,

Sprinkle buttered tops with sugar.  Bake in preheated 350 degree F. oven for 50 minutes.

Pretty.

Remove immediately from pans.

Wrap in dish towels to cool.

Slice when still a little warm.

Butter and enjoy!!!!

So yummy!!!!  Enjoy!!!!