Gluten-Free Irish Soda Bread

Gluten-Free Irish Soda Bread with Organic Strawberry Jam

This week as I caught up with a few friends over some Irish Soda Bread and tea, I thought about what my family would eat this Thursday in celebration of St. Patrick's Day.  

Although I'm not a big fan of corned beef and cabbage, or of Irish Soda Bread (I find it a bit too dry), I am a believer in traditions. So, with St. Patrick's Day just a few days away, I set out to make a gluten-free version of Irish Soda Bread so my gluten-allergic son could feel like he was part of the festivities.

Rather than coming up with my own recipe, I sought out Karina, the Gluten-Free Goddess, who has an amazing collection of gluten-free recipes. After reading through Karina's recipe, I knew it was a winner. Irish Soda Bread is typically made with buttermilk and butter, but Gluten-Free Goddess' recipe is dairy free, using hemp milk (soured with vinegar or lemon juice) and vegan shortening. Karina's flours of choice are millet, sweet sorghum and potato starch. Since I didn't have any millet flour, I substituted quinoa flour which seemed to do the trick (my bread just came out a bit darker). 

This Gluten-Free Irish Soda Bread comes out nice and tender. Extras can be frozen.

Also, although Karina uses caraway seeds, I left them out as I wasn't sure my kids would like them. I did add some dried cranberries; while not traditional, my kids prefer them to raisins.

This Gluten-Free Irish Soda Bread came out so moist compared to the dry Irish Soda Bread I've had in the past. My kids enjoyed this for breakfast with some organic strawberry jam. I froze the rest and will be serving it on St Patrick's Day!

A delicious breakfast treat!