This classic recipe for Irish Soda Bread has raisins or currants, caraway seeds, buttermilk and a touch of sour cream for a softer texture. You'll love it warm and buttered right out of the oven, or toasted the next day with a hot cup of Irish Breakfast Tea!
While Irish Soda Bread is traditionally a simple and humble loaf, it's usually made with no raisins, currants or eggs, and is not sweet—at least not the way we Irish-Americans have become accustomed to. This recipe is similar to quick-bread, meaning it has no yeast, and is sweet. Your favorite leprechauns will enjoy it, especially on St. Patty's Day!
Irish Soda Bread Recipe
- 7 to 7 1/2 cups unbleached white flour, sifted
- 2/3 cup white sugar
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1 Tbsp aluminum-free baking Powder
- 3 Tbsp caraway seeds, optional
- 6 Tbsp cold butter (3/4 stick)
- 2 1/2 cups seedless raisins, currants and/or golden raisins
- 1 3/4 cup buttermilk, room temperature
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp baking soda
- 1 egg yolk beaten with 1 Tbsp milk or cream
How To Make Irish Soda Bread
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or spray with vegetable spray.
- Sift flour into a large bowl and add sugar, salt, baking powder and caraway seeds.
- Cut in butter with a pastry blender until it looks like peas. You can also rub the butter into the flour with the palms of your hands. Keep your hands full of flour and with the butter in the middle, work it into what looks like small peas. Mix in raisins and set aside.
- In a small bowl, whisk together buttermilk, sour cream and eggs. Add baking soda and mix.
- Fold the wet and dry ingredients together. Working with your hands, pull up all the dry ingredients from the bottom of the bowl and mix just enough to make sure all the dry ingredients are blended with the wet.
- Work the dough as little as possible. Add more flour if necessary to keep it from being sticky. The dough is ready when it holds together and and can be shaped.
- Divide into 3 or 4 round loaves and place on baking sheet. Do not flatten loaves. Brush with the yolk and cream mixture.
- Using a sharp knife, cut an X into the top of each loaf.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 60-70 minutes or until loaf is golden brown and knife comes out clean.
- Yields 3-4 loaves.
The recipe makes three to four loaves, but can be divided in half.
This Irish Soda Bread Recipe can also be made with a Kitchen Aid mixer, but be careful not to overwork the dough.
Recipe and Photo property of Donna Diegel
