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    Home » Quick Bread

    Irish Soda Bread Recipe

    Published: Feb 17, 2023 by Vicky · This post may contain affiliate links · 21 Comments

    568 shares
    • 36
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    Are you looking for easy bread recipes? One of my favorite things to make for St. Patrick's Day is this Irish Soda Bread Recipe. 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 this was for aesthetic purposes, but it actually was believed to ward off the devil and protect the household where it was made.

    irish soda bread
    Jump to:
    • ⭐Why This Recipe Works
    • 🥣Ingredient Notes
    • 📋Step by Step Instructions
    • 👩🏻‍🍳Expert Tips
    • 🤷🏻‍♀️Recipe FAQs
    • 🍽️ Related Recipes
    • 📖 Recipe

    ⭐Why This Recipe Works

    • This Irish Soda Bread recipe has many steps that kids can help with making it one of the easiest kids recipes you can make
    • Great to make to celebrate Saint Patrick's day
    • Unique flavor and rustic texture


    🥣Ingredient Notes

    • All-purpose white flour - King Arthur's All Purpose Unbleached flour contains more protein than most other flours so it gives the bread a great texture.
    • Sugar - helps to give the bread a slightly sweet flavor
    • Baking soda - leavening agent used to help the dough rise
    • Baking powder - another leavening agent
    • Butter - softened and melted for brushing on top.
    • Buttermilk - adds flavor and helps to dough to rise
    • Large egg - some recipes call for no egg, but I find the egg adds richness to the bread.
    • Raisins - add sweetness, but you can also add craisins for a more tart flavor.
    ingredients for irish soda bread


    📋Step by Step Instructions

    STEP 1: Preheat oven to 375 degrees and grease the baking sheet.

    STEP 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine all purpose flour, ⅓ cup of sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and softened butter.

    child making irish soda bread

    STEP 3: Stir in the buttermilk and egg until a dough starts to form, then fold in raisins. If the dough is still crumbly, add a splash of buttermilk until it comes together.

    child stirring flour in a bowl

    STEP 4: Knead dough on a lightly floured surface. Form into a round loaf.

    child kneading bread

    STEP 5: Brush the top of the loaf with ¼ cup of melted butter then sprinkle ½ tablespoon of sugar on top.

    STEP 6: Cut an X into the top of the loaf using a sharp knife.

    Irish soda bread dough

    STEP 7: Bake on a baking sheet 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.

    Irish Soda bread on green surface

    STEP 8: Remove from pan and allow to cool on a wire rack.

    The Irish Soda Bread recipe is best when it's still warm with a touch of butter. The golden crust makes the bread look so pretty and appetizing.

    👩🏻‍🍳Expert Tips

    Tip 1: 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.

    Tip 2: You can substitute dried cranberries for the raisins if you prefer.

    Tip 3: 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.


    🤷🏻‍♀️Recipe FAQs

    What can I serve with Irish soda bread?

    You can serve it with butter or jam. It works great as a side to stews or soups such as this Instant Pot Beef Stroganoff Soup.

    How do I store Irish soda bread?

    You can store it at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 4 days.


    🍽️ Related Recipes

    • Easy Bread Recipe
    • Pão de queijo Brazilian Cheese Bread
    • Cranberry Orange Scone Recipe
    • Italian Pull Apart Bread

    🌟If you try this recipe, leave a star rating below or a review in the comment section. Be sure to sign up for my newsletter to get my latest recipes!

    📖 Recipe

    Irish Soda Bread Recipe

    Vicky
    This Irish Soda Bread Recipe uses buttermilk and baking soda to give it a delightfully light, tender crumb and a perfect, crisp crust. Just the thing to make to celebrate St. Patrick's Day!
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 1 hour hr
    Total Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins
    Course Snack
    Cuisine Irish
    Servings 10
    Calories 373 kcal

    Ingredients
      

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

    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 on a baking sheet 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.
    • Remove from pan and allow to cool on a wire rack.

    Video

    Notes

    • 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.
    • You can substitute dried cranberries for the raisins if you prefer.
    • 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.
    • This nutritional information is approximate and was calculated using online calculators. Your nutritional information may vary depending on numerous factors.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 373kcalCarbohydrates: 52gProtein: 6gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 55mgSodium: 382mgPotassium: 272mgFiber: 1gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 490IUVitamin C: 0.4mgCalcium: 96mgIron: 2.7mg
    Keyword Irish Soda Bread Recipe
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Comments

      5 from 4 votes

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Beth says

      February 24, 2023 at 1:57 pm

      5 stars
      I absolutely love Irish soda bread. I make it all the time, and I love trying new variations. Yay!

      Reply
    2. justine says

      February 24, 2023 at 1:54 pm

      WAs so good with our corned beef the other night, kids loved it too

      Reply
    3. Shelby says

      February 24, 2023 at 1:24 pm

      5 stars
      I'm always hesitant about bread-baking but I love the fool-proof recipe and easy-to-follow stepss. So hearty and delicious, too!

      Reply
    « Older Comments
    Vicky from Mess for Less

    I'm Vicky, the founder of Mess For Less, which I started in 2011 to share easy, family-friendly recipes. With over a decade of experience as a home chef and recipe developer, I love creating meals that bring people together. I also design play and learning activities for kids, using my background as a former teacher with a Master’s degree in education. Learn more about me.

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