Irish Soda Bread Recipe
Traditional Irish Soda Bread made with simple ingredients like flour, baking soda, and buttermilk, resulting in a slightly sweet, biscuit-like loaf. This quick bread is perfect as a side dish for soups, stews, or tea and requires no yeast or long rising time.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50–55 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 12 slices (1 loaf)
- Category: Bread, Quick Breads
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Irish, American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
4 cups all-purpose flour, plus 1/4 cup more for dusting
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, plus 1/2 tablespoon to grease the pan
1 3/4 cups cold low-fat buttermilk or kefir
1 large egg, cold
1 cup raisins or dried cranberries (optional)
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 10-inch cast-iron skillet with 1/2 tablespoon butter.
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In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, salt, and baking soda.
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Cut the cold butter into small pieces and rub it into the flour mixture using your fingertips until it resembles coarse crumbs.
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Stir in raisins or cranberries if desired.
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In a separate bowl, whisk together buttermilk and egg.
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Pour the wet ingredients into the dry mixture and stir with a wooden spoon until the dough comes together (don't overmix).
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Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and shape it into a round loaf.
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Transfer the dough to the skillet, score the top deeply with a sharp knife (creating an "X").
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Bake for 50–55 minutes, or until the bread sounds hollow when tapped.
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Remove from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack.
Notes
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For fruit add-ins, try dried cranberries, apricots, or currants.
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Add nuts like walnuts or pecans for extra texture.
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For a spiced flavor, add cinnamon or nutmeg.
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Fresh orange zest can bring a fresh citrusy flavor to the bread.
Find it online: https://recipesbyjanet.com/irish-soda-bread-recipe/