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Irish Soda Bread Recipe

Irish Soda Bread Recipe

Do you have a great Irish Soda Bread recipe?

If not, OMT to the rescue!

Have you ever made Irish Soda Bread? 

If not, this recipe is stupid easy!

Irish Soda Bread

Have you ever eaten Irish soda bread?

If not, today is the day!

Once a year I remember how much I love Irish Soda Bread, especially slathered with homemade apple butter, then promise myself not to forget about it again until next March.

I’m making that promise again this year.

I LOVE YOU IRISH SODA BREAD! I PROMISE NOT TO FORGET YOU!

Once you have a bite of Irish soda bread, you’ll understand.

I could eat it all day long.  Right out of the oven slathered in butter.  A few hours later toasted with jam.  At midnight, as is.  I love the stuff.

If you’ve never made soda bread, this recipe is a good place to start.  Just be forewarned that it won’t last long.  Buttery goodness rarely does.

Pro Tip: while you’re making a mess in the kitchen, go ahead and double the recipe.  You won’t be sorry.

To the recipe! (there is a recipe card at the bottom of this post, if you prefer)

Irish Soda Bread

Ingredient List

  • 3 tbsp butter, softened
  • 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/3 cup raisins (opt)
  • 3/4 cup buttermilk

Directions

  1. Cut butter into flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt until mixture resembles fine crumbs.
  2. Stir in raisins and enough buttermilk to make a soft dough. (1)
  3. Turn onto lightly floured surface; knead until smooth, 1 to 2 minutes. (2)
  4. Shape into a round loaf, about 6 1/2 inches in diameter. (3)
  5. Place on greased cookie sheet.
  6. Cut an X about 1/4 through loaf with floured knife.
  7. Bake at 375°, until golden brown, 35-45 minutes.

Notes

1) Add buttermilk slowly, so you don’t make flour mixture sloppy wet, which means you’d have to add more flour to work with it, which means the texture of the soda bread would be too heavy when fully baked.

2) Using a silicone mat helps make kneading easier and clean up a breeze.

3) I typically shape my loaf on the flat baking pan. One less step.

Recipe courtesy of Betty Crocker

Close up of irish soda bread on blue napkin

Raisons

The great debate: soda bread with or without raisons.

Definitely a personal choice.

Obviously, you can see I make mine with raisins. 

OMT likes her shriveled-up pre-wine receptacles grapes!  If you don’t, simply omit. 

SIDE NOTE: I’ve made this bread both ways and it never fails to get eaten. 

It’s perfect on a cold morning with a hot cup of coffee or tea (if that’s your thang–I think you know me well enough by now to know it’s not mine. I prefer Southern sweet tea).

What’s So Special About Irish Soda Bread?

It’s a quick bread to make.

It’s beginner-baker friendly.

It’s delicious.

What Is A Quick Bread?

It requires no yeast.

No waiting on the dough to rise – just mix and bake.

Quick bread!

Delicious bread!

What Does Irish Soda Bread Taste Like?

Irish soda bread is a dense, buttery, slightly sweet bread.

It’s not sandwich bread, although technically you could make a sandwich with it.

It’s heavier than a muffin and less sweet.

Think scone and you’re close.

a loaf of Irish soda bread on a blue napkin

Irish Soda Bread

Yield: 1 loaf
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes

Irish Soda Bread Recipe - it's easy, quick, and delicious.

Ingredients

  • 3 tbsp butter, softened
  • 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/3 cup raisins (opt)
  • 3/4 cup buttermilk

Instructions

  1. Cut butter into flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt until mixture resembles fine crumbs.
  2. Stir in raisins and enough buttermilk to make a soft dough. (1)
  3. Turn onto lightly floured surface; knead until smooth, 1 to 2 minutes. (2)
  4. Shape into a round loaf, about 6 1/2 inches in diameter. (3)
  5. Place on greased cookie sheet.
  6. Cut an X about 1/4 through loaf with floured knife.
  7. Bake at 375°, until golden brown, 35-45 minutes.

Notes

1) Add buttermilk slowly, so you don't make flour mixture sloppy wet, which means you'd have to add more flour to work with it, which means the texture of the soda bread would be too heavy when fully baked.

2) Using a silicone mat helps make kneading easier and clean up a breeze.

3) I typically shape my loaf on the flat baking pan. One less step.

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 10 Serving Size: 1 slice
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 158Total Fat: 3.97ggSodium: 179mgCarbohydrates: 36.27ggFiber: .8gSugar: 2.54ggProtein: 3.8g

Nutritional Information Isn't Always Accurate.

Original Post: March 2, 2015 ~ Updated Post: February 19, 2024

Best Irish Soda Bread

The best Irish soda bread is the one you love.

Do you have to be Irish to love you some Irish Soda Bread?  No.

Will it make you talk like a leprechaun?  Yes.

Do you have to wait until St. Paddy’s Day to enjoy?  No.

Do you have to kiss someone Irish before you partake?  Why not!

I love an Irish Soda Bread Recipe that incites multi-cultural fun, don’t you?

Happy Baking, Y’all!

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Easy Slow Cooker Apple Butter

Monday 9th of November 2015

[…] first taste of apple butter came to me as a child. I was offered a thick slice of dark pumpernickel bread, slathered with a thick layer of butter and topped with a generous portion of apple butter. It was […]

Lauren @ Imperfect and Fabulous

Thursday 5th of March 2015

I've always wanted to try making this, and you make it sound so easy I think this year I finally will!

Patti Tucker

Thursday 5th of March 2015

It's one of the easiest. Enjoy!

Cathy

Wednesday 4th of March 2015

I love Irish Soda bread and yours looks perfect! :-) Saying hello from Create it Thursday! Cathy

Patti Tucker

Wednesday 4th of March 2015

Thanks, Cathy! Hope you enjoy it.

Axiesdad aka Bob

Tuesday 3rd of March 2015

If you run out of Irishmen to kiss, I'm available. Just be sure you bring some of the bread. :)

Patti Tucker

Tuesday 3rd of March 2015

Ha! Well, I think I've got the Irishmen covered, but good to know! And you don't need me to bring the bread, you can totally make it. So easy. Come on, Bob...bake that bread!

Jo-Anne

Monday 2nd of March 2015

Interesting I have never heard of this before

Patti Tucker

Monday 2nd of March 2015

Happy to introduce you to soda bread!

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