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