Irish Soda Bread Recipe
Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
It is already a little over a month until St. Patrick’s Day, which means it’s time to think about Irish recipes! As a person with Irish heritage, I love making traditional Irish foods like this Irish Soda Bread.
Caraway seeds are not something I use often, but they definitely give a recipe a unique and memorable flavor. Raisins also add some moisture to make Irish Soda Bread a delicious snack or side with any meal.
The egg yolks brushed on top of this bread, give it a lovely dark brown color. Making an “x” at the top adds some decoration, too.
Irish Soda Bread is considered a quick bread because you don’t have to wait for it to rise. It requires very little kneading and is ready for the oven in less than ten minutes.
What Ingredients Will You Need?
- flour
- sugar
- salt
- baking powder
- caraway seeds
- butter
- raisins
- buttermilk
- egg
- baking soda
- egg yolk
Helpful Tips:
- The recipe calls for sifted flour. A whisk can be used in place of a flour sifter.
- Instead of fresh buttermilk, use powdered buttermilk. It can be found in the baking section of the grocery store. Refrigerate after opening. It lasts several months so you can use it for other recipes.
- A 2-quart round casserole dish works best for this recipe. 2 loaf pans can be used instead, if necessary.
Do you have a favorite traditional recipe to make based on your heritage? Let me know in the comments below.
Other Recipes You May Like:
To stay with the St. Patrick’s Day theme, why not serve Heavenly Lime Pie or Chocolate Mint Dreams for dessert? They are both festive and green. You might also enjoy my Old Fashioned Chocolate Cake. For your main dish, you could serve Smoked Corned Beef Brisket. If you’re serving this bread at holiday time, you might want to try my Christmas Snowball Cookies or my Melting Moments.
Irish Soda Bread Recipe from Ireland
Ingredients
- 4 Cups All-Purpose Flour Sifted
- ¼ Cup Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
- 2 Tablespoons Caraway Seeds
- ¼ Cup Butter
- 2 Cups Raisins
- 1⅓ Cup Buttermilk
- 1 Egg
- 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
- 1 Egg Yolk Beaten
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°.
- Grease a 2 quart casserole dish.
- In a mixing bowl, sift flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder; stir in caraway seeds.
- Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse meal.
- Stir in Raisins.
- In a separate bowl, combine buttermilk 1 egg, and baking soda.
- Stir into flour mixture just long enough to moisten ingredients.
- Place on floured board and knead lightly until dough is smooth.
- Form into a ball and place in greased 2 quart casserole dish.
- Use a sharp knife to cut a 4" cross about ½" deep in the center of the dough on top.
- Brush top with egg yolk.
- Bake at 375° for 1 hour, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
- Cool bread on wire rack in casserole dish for 10 minutes.
- Remove from casserole dish and continue cooling on wire rack.
- To cut, divide loaf in quarters. Thinly slice each quarter.
Notes
- The recipe calls for sifted flour. A whisk can be used in place of a flour sifter.
- Instead of fresh buttermilk, use powdered buttermilk. It can be found in the baking section of the grocery store. Refrigerate after opening. It lasts several months so you can use it for other recipes.
- A 2-quart round casserole dish works best for this recipe. 2 loaf pans can be used instead, if necessary.
Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc, or its affiliates.
16 Comments
Jamieadstories
I had never heard of this but it looks really good.
Heidi Bruaw
Thank you! 🙂
Molly | Transatlantic Notes
I really like the sound of this bread — the recipe is nice and easy to follow too. Thanks for sharing it!
Heidi Bruaw
Thank you! It is very good! 🙂
Cassie
I’ve only ever made biscuits. muffins and cornbread from scratch. I used to have friends make soda bread because it was easy, it just never occurred to me to try. I think I will give it a go this year. Because it’s easy, it seems like a good one to work on with my daughter. Thanks for the inspiration!
~Cassie
Heidi Bruaw
It is very easy! It would be a good one to make with your daughter, for sure. 🙂
Rayo
Wow, it looks like a cake. It looks really good. Thanks for sharing
Heidi Bruaw
Thank you! It is delicious and easy to make. 🙂
Isa A
Did you say quick, less kneading, 10 minutes? I only always love the express way. The cross and the texture looks so so so good. Another one saving up to try. Thanks. Love your baking. Xx
Isa A. Blogger
Heidi Bruaw
Yes, so quick and easy! I hope you get to try it! Thank you for the compliment. 🙂
KEVIN FOODIE
I am surprised that this bread 🍞 has no yeast. Making bread takes alot of time. This Irish soda seems way easier. Love the added raisen and the cracks on the top. Thanks for sharing your tecipe 😊. 📌 and will be trying it.
Heidi Bruaw
It is very easy and delicious. I hope you get to try it! 🙂
Charlotte
This bread sounds amazing. I definitely need to try this recipe. Thank you for sharing.
Heidi Bruaw
Thank you! I hope you get to try it. 🙂
Simona
OMG Heidi, this looks lush – I can’t believe it’s bread! I’m going to have to try and make this soon x
Heidi Bruaw
Thank you, Simona! It was so fun to make too! 🙂