** Happy Monday Y'all!
Marsha and I wanted to make an exciting
announcement~ We are adding to the
Country Cooks Across America Family!
We are more than pleased to tell you
that our newest family member is coming to
you all the way from New York!
Mary Elizabeth Roarke

Please take some time to read
more about her on our
"How we came to be" Page
We are sure you will love her
style of cooking and recipes.
Please join us in welcoming her
by leaving a comment below.
Now lets enjoy Mary Elizabeth's
very first recipe as a Country Cook!**

Irish Soda Bread

My nephew "Lucas Patrick" is born on St. Patrick's day.  Every year we look forward to my brother-in-law's corn beef and cabbage and my sister-in-law's  Irish Soda Bread.  She makes it in a cast iron skillet which adds to it's  authenticity!  I've added  vanilla and raw sugar  which makes  it nice to have at tea time!

4 C. flour

2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

2 T. caraway seeds (optional)

1 cup sugar

3/4 buttermilk

16 oz. (1 pint) sour cream

2 eggs, at room temperature

1 tsp.  vanilla

1 cup golden raisins*

1 handful raw sugar (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 F. Sift the flour, baking powder and baking soda in a large bowl.  With a wooden spoon add sugar and caraway seeds.  
Add  buttermilk, sour cream, eggs, vanilla and raisins. 

Stir until it forms a thick, doughy consistency.

Pour batter into 2 prepared loaf pans.  Sprinkle with raw sugar.

 Bake for 1 hour or until golden brown. 

Cool on wire rack before removing from pan.  

* place 1 cup raisins in a small bowl and pour 1 cup warm water on top. Let stand for 3 minutes, until the raisins plump up. Drain well. 

Happy St. Pat's Day!

Mary Elizabeth 
Co-author, Country Comfort Cookbooks