Irish Soda Bread with Dried Cherries

When it comes to holidays (any holiday) I like to go all in with food themes.

I’m not Irish, but I love St Patrick’s Day and I’ve been known to cook up a nice Guinness Stew (enjoy a pint too), or enjoy a corned beef, sandwich or bake soda bread. This year, it’s soda bread.

I watched Dylan Dreyer on the Today Show make this bread with her little son Cal, and I was inspired to try her recipe. I used dried cherries instead of raisins (both because I had them in my pantry, and I like them better). Raisins or currents are definitely more traditional. Check out my TikTok here.

Ingredients

• 4 cups flour
• 2½ teaspoons baking powder
• 1½ teaspoons baking soda
• 6 tablespoons butter, at room temp, plus more for greasing skillet
• 1 pint sour cream
• 6 tablespoons sugar, plus more for topping
• 2 eggs, at room temp
• 1 cup dried cherries, coarsely chopped

Preheat the oven to 350. Butter a 9-inch cake pan (I used an 8-inch cake pan and also make a mini 4-inch loaf to give to my son who was visiting). Mix the flour, baking powder, and baking soda in a medium bowl and set aside.

Add the butter, sour cream and sugar to a mixer bowl. Mix on medium speed until well blended. Add the eggs, one at a time. Add the dried fruit and blend. Pour into the greased pans and bake for 45 minutes (the mini loaf pan only took 35 minutes). Enjoy!