Mary O’s Irish Soda Bread

My good friend Mary O makes a killer Irish soda bread. It’s her mom’s recipe, handed down through generations of good Irish bread bakers. Most soda breads, this one included, are made with dairy, and in this case, buttermilk. I had tried subbing soy milk in the past, with yukky results. I have found, though, that plain soy yogurt is the perfect substitution for buttermilk in most recipes, retaining that slight sour flavor of buttermilk without any of the bitter aftertaste of soy milk. This bread is moist and chewy, and is a real treat in our house every mid-March. Enjoy!

Mary O’s Irish Soda Bread

4 cups flour

1 cup sugar

3 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 1/2 cups raisins

Mix separately:

2 eggs, beaten

2 cups plain soy yogurt

2 tablespoons melted margarine

Combine and bake at 350 degrees F for 1 hour. You can use a 12″ cast-iron skillet (traditional way), or a 10″ spring-form pan, lightly sprayed. Bread is done when tester comes out clean in center. Makes 16 servings.