Irish Soda Bread with Whiskey Butter

Even if you aren’t Irish, St Patrick’s Day is the day to act like you are and that means celebrating with an Irish menu. This bread and butter combo may inspire you to act like you’re Irish the rest of the year.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 

Bread:
1 cup raisins
½ cup Irish whiskey
3 cups all-purpose flour
½ cup sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon baking soda
The zest of an orange, juice reserved for whiskey butter
1-1/3 cups buttermilk
¼ cup butter, melted

Soak raisins in whiskey for at least 30 minutes and up to overnight.

Spray a 2-quart casserole or cast iron skillet with cooking spray. Heat oven to 350ºF.

In a medium bowl combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt baking soda and orange zest. Stir in raisins and whiskey. Add buttermilk and butter; mix well. Spoon batter into prepared pan. Bake 50 minutes or until golden brown. Serve with Whiskey Butter.

Whiskey Butter:
½ cup butter, softened
1 tablespoon Irish whiskey
1 tablespoon orange juice
1 teaspoon orange zest
2 tablespoons confectioners sugar

Beat the butter with an electric mixer until fluffy. Add remaining ingredients. Beat until well combined.