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  • Hi, I'm Vicky, the founder and content creator at Mess For Less. If you are looking for family-friendly recipes, recipes that kids can make, and play and learning activities for kids, you will find them at Mess For Less. I invite you to learn more about me. Thanks for stopping by!

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    Home » Cooking with Kids

    Irish Soda Bread Recipe - Food Fun Friday

    Published: Mar 7, 2014 · Modified: Aug 1, 2022 by Vicky · This post contains affiliate links.

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    One of my favorite things to make for St. Patrick's Day is Irish Soda Bread. If you've never had it before, it's not a bread in the way you might typically think of bread. The texture and consistency is similar to that of a scone. I did a little research on Irish Soda Bread and discovered that it started out with very basic ingredients which poorer households in Ireland had access to. Before cooking, a cross was carved into the top of the dough. I thought these was for aesthetic purposes, but it actually was believed to ward off the devil and protect the household where it was made. I can't guarantee this Family Friendly Recipe will do all that, but is sure tastes yummy. This Irish Soda Bread recipe also has many steps that kids can help with. My children just love getting their hands in the dough!

    This Irish Soda Bread Recipe is perfect to make with kids as you get into the spirit of St. Patrick's Day.

    Irish Soda Bread Recipe

    This Irish soda bread recipe calls for buttermilk. If you must have some Irish Soda Bread and don't have buttermilk on hand, you can quickly make your own. I found a great tutorial here.

    Ingredients for irish soda bread

    Measuring and pouring flour is a special job in our household and calls for a special helper.

    child making irish soda bread

    We like to build up our arm muscles by stirring.

    kids cooking

    But the favorite way for my kids to help is by kneading the dough.

    child baking

    There's that cross that wards off evil.

    Irish soda bread recipe

    The Irish Soda Bread recipe is best fresh out of the oven with a touch of butter. My kids also enjoyed it with marmalade. Ours kept for a few days in a bowl on the counter. By the fourth day, it had started to go a bit stale, so you'll want to be sure to finish it before then.

    Irish Soda bread recipe
    Irish Soda Bread

    Irish Soda Bread Recipe - Food Fun Friday

    This Irish Soda Bread Recipe is perfect to make with kids as you get into the spirit of St. Patrick's Day. 
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Snack
    Cuisine: Irish
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 1 hour
    Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
    Servings: 10
    Calories: 373kcal
    Author: Vicky

    Ingredients

    • 4 cups of flour
    • ⅓ cup of sugar + ½ tablespoon
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • 1 tablespoon baking powder
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ½ cup softened butter
    • 1 cup of butter milk
    • 1 egg
    • ¼ cup of melted butter for brushing on top
    • ½ cup of raisins

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 375 degrees and grease baking sheet.
    • In a large bowl, combine flour, ⅓ cup of sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt and softened butter. Mix in the buttermilk and egg until dough starts to form, then fold in raisins. If dough is still crumbly, add a splash of buttermilk until it comes together.
    • Knead dough on a floured surface. Form into a round loaf.
    • Brush the top of the loaf with ¼ cup of melted butter then sprinkle ½ tablespoon of sugar on top.
    • Cut an X into the top of the loaf using a sharp knife.
    • Bake for 1 hour. Test to see if it is done by inserting a toothpick into the center and checking to see that it comes out clean. If the loaf is too thick, the center might take longer to bake. Simply place some foil over the top of the loaf and continue baking until done.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 373kcal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 55mg | Sodium: 382mg | Potassium: 272mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 490IU | Vitamin C: 0.4mg | Calcium: 96mg | Iron: 2.7mg
    Try this Recipe! Pin it for Later.Mention @vickycat or tag #messforless!
    This Irish Soda Bread Recipe is perfect to make with kids as you get into the spirit of St. Patrick's Day.

    If you liked this Irish Soda Bread Recipe, check out:

    Honey Bread Recipe

    Pao de Queijo - Brazilian Cheesy Bread

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Vicky

      March 21, 2016 at 12:00 pm

      So happy you liked the recipes! I have made it with my class back when I was teaching and the kids loved it. Thanks so much for sharing your feedback Shelly.

    2. Shelly

      March 19, 2016 at 6:55 pm

      This was a GREAT cooking activity to do with the daycare kids (who were ages 3-5). I loved that they could easily get the basic concept to add more flour if too wet, or more buttermilk if too dry, to get the right consistency, I split the dough into four parts so each child had their own hunk to knead and form into a ball. Then I cut the cook time down to about 35 minutes since their loaves were smaller. I made another recipe for my family and it's all gone, so I'm making another loaf tonight. It is only about 20 minutes prep time. Thanks for sharing this recipe. Great for all ages to make and delicious!

    3. good food too

      March 18, 2015 at 1:20 am

      Why wait until next year ??? This is good with any stew, casserole, soup, etc. I make corned beef year around, I make turkey year around, AND... people don't just eat spaghetti or lasagna on "Italian " holidays", or just eat tacos once a year, so be bold everyone.... enjoy food !

    4. Patricia Dunn

      May 20, 2014 at 10:00 pm

      Loved your recipe Vicky and your daughters are just darling helping. I remember cooking with my boys when they were young. I made your recipe Friday for a friend who had asked me to make him some. I featured it on my blog, My Patchwork Quilt and linked back to your post. You can see my post here http://patriciaspatchwork.blogspot.com/2014/05/irish-soda-bread.html .Again, the bread was a big hit with my friend.

    5. Vicky @ Mess For Less

      March 18, 2014 at 5:38 pm

      Thank you Kelly! Hope you love it as much as we did!

    6. Vicky @ Mess For Less

      March 18, 2014 at 5:33 pm

      Thanks Kim! Hope you all enjoyed it!

    7. Vicky @ Mess For Less

      March 18, 2014 at 5:31 pm

      Natalie, the raisins help to make it a bit more moist. Hope you enjoy it next time you make it.

    8. Vicky @ Mess For Less

      March 18, 2014 at 5:29 pm

      Blanche, I have never tried it but I don't see why it wouldn't work. You would need to adjust the cooking time since the loaves would be smaller and cook quicker.

    9. Blanche McCabes

      March 17, 2014 at 5:41 pm

      Can you split 1 recipe into 4 mini loaves?

    10. Kelly

      March 17, 2014 at 12:22 pm

      Thanks for sharing at the After School Link Up. I've featured you this week. I have all the ingredients on hand, so I think this is going to be our after school activity for today. Thanks!
      Kelly at Litte Wonders' Days

    11. Kim Vij

      March 17, 2014 at 12:02 pm

      This looks like such a fun activity to do with the kids! I've featured it on our After School Linky Party this week, thank you so much for sharing on the Linky! Excited I have all the ingredients to make with the kids today!

    12. Natalie PlanetSmartyPants

      March 16, 2014 at 9:24 pm

      I think we made it once before, but without raisins. It was somewhat dry and my daughter didn't care for it when she was 4. We should definitely try your variations, perhaps for St Patrick's Day next year. Thanks for sharing with After School!

    13. Vicky @ Mess For Less

      March 13, 2014 at 7:20 pm

      Thanks for stopping by Theresa!

    14. Vicky @ Mess For Less

      March 13, 2014 at 7:19 pm

      Yes it is Constance! 🙂

    15. Constance Fex

      March 13, 2014 at 2:51 pm

      Is this recipe peanut-free?

    16. Theresa

      March 07, 2014 at 7:29 pm

      I've never made Irish Soda bread but, this makes me want to try it. We love baking in our house too. I'd love it if you'd like to share this at my weekly party. Thanks for the follow on twitter. I look forward to connecting! Theresa @DearCreatives

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    Hi, I'm Vicky, the founder and content creator at Mess For Less. If you are looking for family-friendly recipes, recipes that kids can make, and play and learning activities for kids, you will find them at Mess For Less. I invite you to learn more about me. Thanks for stopping by!

    Valentine's Day Activities and Recipes

    • Valentine’s Dessert Cheese Ball
    • Valentine's Brownie Cake Pops
    • Valentine's Chocolate Covered Pretzels
    • Valentine Ideas for Kids - Glitter Hearts

    Winter Activities

    • Q-Tip Painted Snowman Craft
    • Winter Shaving Cream Paint
    • Pinecone Snowman Craft
    • Melted Snowman Craft

    Popular Recipes

    • Crack Chicken Casserole
    • Overnight Egg Casserole
    • Toasted Italian Sandwich - Food Fun Friday
    • Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Bake

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