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!
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.
Measuring and pouring flour is a special job in our household and calls for a special helper.
We like to build up our arm muscles by stirring.
But the favorite way for my kids to help is by kneading the dough.
There's that cross that wards off evil.
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 - Food Fun Friday
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
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If you liked this Irish Soda Bread Recipe, check out:
Vicky
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.
Shelly
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!
good food too
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 !
Patricia Dunn
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.
Vicky @ Mess For Less
Thank you Kelly! Hope you love it as much as we did!
Vicky @ Mess For Less
Thanks Kim! Hope you all enjoyed it!
Vicky @ Mess For Less
Natalie, the raisins help to make it a bit more moist. Hope you enjoy it next time you make it.
Vicky @ Mess For Less
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.
Blanche McCabes
Can you split 1 recipe into 4 mini loaves?
Kelly
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
Kim Vij
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!
Natalie PlanetSmartyPants
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!
Vicky @ Mess For Less
Thanks for stopping by Theresa!
Vicky @ Mess For Less
Yes it is Constance! 🙂
Constance Fex
Is this recipe peanut-free?
Theresa
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