Irish Soda Bread and Whiskey Butter

Ingredients

• 1 cup raisins
• 1/2 cup whiskey
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 tablespoon grated orange peel (optional)
• 1 tablespoon caraway seeds (optional)
• 1 1/3 cups buttermilk
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 1/2 cup butter at room temperature

Directions

Place raisins in a small bowl; pour in whiskey and allow to soak overnight.

The next day, drain raisins and reserve the leftover whiskey.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Grease a 2-quart casserole dish.

Whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda in a large bowl.

Stir drained raisins, orange peel, and caraway seeds into dry ingredients.

Beat in buttermilk and 1/4 cup melted butter to make a thick batter.

Transfer batter to prepared casserole dish.

Bake in the preheated oven until top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 1 hour and 10 minutes.

Beat 1/2 cup butter in a bowl until fluffy; beat in reserved whiskey, 1 teaspoon at a time, to taste. Serve with soda bread.