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 this was for aesthetic purposes, but it actually was believed to ward off the devil and protect the household where it was made.
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⭐Why This Recipe Works
- This Irish Soda Bread recipe has many steps that kids can help with.
- 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.
📋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.
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.
STEP 4: Knead dough on a lightly floured surface. Form into a round loaf.
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.
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.
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
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.
You can store it at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
🍽️ Related Recipes
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📖 Recipe
Irish Soda Bread Recipe
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
justine
WAs so good with our corned beef the other night, kids loved it too
Shelby
I'm always hesitant about bread-baking but I love the fool-proof recipe and easy-to-follow stepss. So hearty and delicious, too!
Ned
This is perfect for my family St. Patrick's Day meal. I tested it out and it was so easy and delicious to make. Can't wait to make it again! Thank you!
TAYLER ROSS
I made this soda bread for St. Patrick's Day last year and it turned out perfectly! I can't wait to make it with the kids again this year!
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