Irish Soda Bread with Raisins and Caraway

It doesn’t need to be St. Patrick’s Day to enjoy a classic Irish soda bread. This quick bread, studded with raisins and flavored with caraway seeds, is simple, rustic, and deeply satisfying.

I first learned to make it in a cast iron skillet, but it bakes up just as beautifully in a Dutch oven or even on a baking sheet. The dough is shaped into a round, and before baking, a deep cross is cut into the top with a sharp knife—a signature mark of tradition.

With just a handful of humble ingredients, the loaf emerges golden and fragrant. The raisins add a subtle sweetness, while the caraway keeps it true to its Irish roots. Served warm with salted butter, this bread is the kind of bake that turns simple moments into something special.

Visit Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston doesn’t shout—she draws you in with gaslit alleys, secret gardens, and the slow hush of tides brushing against centuries-old stone. It’s a city built on stories, where every pastel façade and cobblestone street hides a secret or two.

At the center of it all, Hotel Emeline offers a refined place to land—housed in a historic mercantile building with thoughtful touches, cozy corners, and a courtyard made for lingering. Start your day with coffee from Clerks, end it with wood-fired dishes and cocktails at Frannie & The Fox, and in between, let the city surprise you. This isn’t just a visit—it’s an invitation to wander.

PS. Loving my emails? Buy me a coffee :) It's like a thank you note, but with a little extra love.

x - Jenny