Irish Soda Bread with Raisins and Caraway

I've been searching high and low for this recipe when my friend Sarah reminded me it was on Andrew's baby blog!
I haven't made it since then: 2 years ago!
It's really a great bread, easy to make and especially appropriate for this time of year.
Today I sparingly used a Kitchenaid stand mixer but in the past have also just used a large bowl and spatula to stir it up. Just follow the recipe, adding ingredients one-by-one.

Tried out these "baking" raisins and I am now a fan! Super juicy and delicious~
Bonus: they are pre-measured. 1 pouch= 1 cup.

Funny, I learned today that 1 large egg= 1/4 cup. (Recipe calls for 1 1/2 cups milk + 2 large eggs)

Using disposable foil pans make these easy to give away to friends!

Our old oven requires a thermometer during certain precise pleasures like baking. It's a good idea to second-guess your oven's temperature, especially if it's ancient, like ours. It tends to run 25 degrees lower than selected.

Taster approved!

It's a recipe that was so good when I tried it, I asked for it from my former employer, Bill Joyce, at B.L. Makepeace.
It's his family recipe. Bill's wife traditionally makes the bread for the employees on St. Patrick's day.

The recipe can be cut in half to make one loaf.

Barm Brack

makes two loaves
serve with butter

Pre-heat the oven to 300 degrees.
Mix together the dry ingredients:

4 cups flour
1 cup sugar
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt

Then add to mixture:

3 teaspoons caraway seeds
1 cup raisins
1 cup currants
Stir to blend.

Beat together:

2 eggs
1 1/2 cups milk

Add to the dry mixture. (Do not overmix.)

Lastly, add 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) melted, unsalted butter, just until combined.

Pour mixture into greased, floured bread pans.
Or, line the bottom and sides with 1 piece parchment. This (my preferred method) allows you to just lift the loaf out when done. No greasing necessary.

Sprinkle sugar on top.

Bake on the middle rack, 45-55 min.
Check at 45 min. Remove when loaves start to get browned. It took my loaves more like 60 min.
I checked every 5 min. after 45.


The Barm Brack is a delicious fruit loaf eaten all year round in Ireland, but especially popular at Halloween when, by tradition, a ring is hidden in the loaf and the one who finds it will be the next to marry.

The “official Irish” Barm Brack has no carraway seed, but has 1/2 cup of mixed candied citrus peel, a pinch of nutmeg and 1/2 tsp of cinnamon.