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+ servings
A loaf of Soda bread in a cast iron skillet.
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4.50 from 2 reviews

Irish Soda Bread

This Irish Soda bread is the best you'll ever eat! Light, slightly sweet, hearty and delicious, this buttermilk bread recipe is a no-yeast, no-knead, quick bread studded with raisins.
Course Baking
Cuisine Irish
Keyword Irish Soda Bread, Soda Bread, Soda Bread Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings 10 servings
Calories 318kcal

Ingredients

  • 4 cups all-purpose flour plus 1 tablespoon to coat the raisins or currants
  • 4 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt I prefer kosher or sea salt
  • 4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter cut into 1/2-inch dice (1/2 stick)
  • 1 3/4 cups cold buttermilk
  • 1 large egg lightly beaten
  • 1 teaspoon grated orange zest
  • 1 cup raisins golden raisins or currants (or a combination)

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. As for the baking pan, you can use a sheet pan or a seasoned 10 - 12 inch cast iron skillet lined with parchment paper. You can also use a greased 9 - 10 inch cake pan.
  • In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the 4 cups of flour, the sugar, baking soda and salt. Add the butter and mix on low speed until the butter is mixed into the flour.
  • With a fork, lightly whisk the buttermilk, egg, and orange zest together in a measuring cup. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the buttermilk mixture to the flour mixture.
  • Combine the raisins or currants with 1 tablespoon of flour and mix into the dough. The dough will be very wet.
  • Dump the dough onto a well-floured board and with floured hands, knead the dough a few times into a round loaf. Place the loaf on the prepared sheet pan (cast iron skillet or baking pan) and with a sharp knife score an X into the top of the bread.
  • Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until a cake tester comes out clean. Allow the bread to cool on a baking rack. Serve warm, at room temperature or toasted. Serve it by itself, with butter or your favorite topping.

Notes

  • Don't overwork the dough.
  • Always score the top of the bread so the heat reaches the center of the loaf while it bakes.
  • Soda bread dries out quickly however, it can be made 1 to 3 days ahead. To store it, wrap it tightly or place it in an air tight container to keep it fresh.
  • You can freeze soda bread tightly wrapped for up to 3 months.
  • This recipe for Irish soda bread calls for raisins or currants, however you can use dried cranberries if you prefer.
  • Some Irish soda bread recipes use caraway seeds. Caraway seeds have an anise/licorice flavor and are a great addition to this Irish bread.
  • Soda bread can be baked on a sheet pan, a baking pan, on a cast iron skillet and even in a Dutch oven.

Nutrition

Calories: 318kcal | Carbohydrates: 56g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 38mg | Sodium: 556mg | Potassium: 238mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 240IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 64mg | Iron: 3mg