What’s a traditional St. Patrick’s Day meal without Irish soda bread? St. Patrick’s Day 2016 is almost here, so it's time to gather the ingredients you’ll need to make the buttery, dessert-like side dish. While most grocery stores offer the product already made, impress your dinner guests on Thursday by making it from scratch! Thanks to Ina Garten's Food Network recipe and Betty Crocker's guide, we've figured out how to whip up Irish soda bread with raisins in six easy steps.

To make this recipe, you will need:

  • 3 tablespoons of butter (softened, not melted)
  • 2.5 cup cups all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon of baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon of baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon of salt
  • 1/2 cups of raisins (optional)
  • 1 1/3 cup of buttermilk (this make make the bread moist)
  • 4 tablespoons of sugar (use 3 if you want it to be less sweet)

Recipe:

1) Start off by preheating your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit, then begin prepping your ingredients.

2) Put your flour, sugar, baking soda, baking power, butter and salt in a large mixing bowl. Use an electric mixer to evenly blend the items together. Add in the raisins, if you choose, when the consistency is crumb-like.

3) Take your buttermilk and slowly add it to the dough mixture.

3) Remove the dough from the bowl and knead it on a floured surfaced until smooth.

4) Shape your loaf and placed it on a greased cookie sheet. To help the item cook evenly, carve an “X” on the top of the loaf. (The "X" should be a half-inch deep at most.)

5) Let your bread cook in the oven for a minimum of 35 minutes. Your goal is for the bread to turn a light brown. You’ll know your bread is done baking when the cake tester — or raw piece of spaghetti, if you’re old school, like me — comes out clean.

6) Allow the bread to cool slightly before slicing. Serve with butter and enjoy!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!