Shamrocks, "car bomb" cupcakes, homemade soda bread, oh my!

 Ohh, the luck of the Irish! We held our annual corned-beef and cabbage/Saint Patrick celebration dinner this weekend. It's always great to have a big group of your friends and loved ones over for an evening of food, drink and lots of laughs! To honor the tradition, we made homemade soda bread and "car bomb cupcakes" (chocolate Guinness cupcakes with Bailey's Irish Cream frosting, yumm!). 

 

Planning a brunch?
Try this super delicious and EASY soda bread recipe! 

(Thanks to: The Hungry Quilter!)

Irish Soda Bread
4 cups sifted flour 1 tablespoon baking soda 1 tablespoon sugar 1 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar	1-1/2 cups dark raisins (optional) 2 tablespoons caraway seeds (optional) 1-1/2 to 2 cups buttermilk 1 to 2 tablespoons melted butter

Combine the flour, baking soda, sugar, salt and cream of tartar in a large mixing bowl and mix well. Add the raisins and caraway seeds and mix well. Add enough buttermilk to make a dough, mixing with a fork until the ingredients are moistened.

Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 1 to 2 minutes or until well mixed. Shape the dough into a large ball and place on a well-greased baking sheet. Flatten the dough into a 7-inch circle and cut an X that is 1/4-inch deep in the center of the circle.

Bake at 375 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when rapped with knuckles. Remove the loaf to a wire rack and brush with the melted butter. Let stand until completely cooled before slicing.

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