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!

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

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.

Continue to Content

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.

Print

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.

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  Kitzini Silicone Pastry Mat. Non Slip Baking Mat. BPA-Free Silicone Baking Sheet. Extra Large Silicone Mats for Baking, Rolling Pastry, Dough, Pizza & Cookies. Easy Clean - Kneading Mat

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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