Most versions of soda bread seen in the United States are fancy, with lots of butter, sugar, raisins, and sometimes caraway seeds added for flavor and richness. Really, however, traditional Irish soda bread is similar to a slightly dry version of a scone. It is very simple and needs to be topped with a little butter and marmalade to make it more interesting. The versions of soda bread that follow are adapted from one of my favorite cookbooks,