Irish Soda Bread
This easy and delicious Irish Soda Bread is soft and tender with a touch of sweetness - definitely a family favorite! Quick and easy to make, this Irish Soda Bread recipe takes under an hour from start to finish and is amazing on it's own or with a touch of butter.
Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 3 tablespoons salted butter (room temperature, cut into small cubes)
- 1 cup raisins (or currants)
- 1 ¾ cups buttermilk (full fat or low fat, shaken)
Directions
- 1
Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a dutch oven with parchment paper or spray with nonstick spray. You can also use a baking sheet or cast iron skillet.
- 2
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, salt, baking powder and baking soda.
- 3
Use a pastry cutter, two forks or your hands to work the butter into the dry ingredients until the butter pieces are no larger than pea-sized.
- 4
Stir in the raisins until evenly incorporated.
- 5
Add the buttermilk and mix just until the flour mixture is almost incorporated. The dough will be sticky.
- 6
Generously flour a work surface and turn the dough out onto the surface, sprinkle on a little additional flour and knead the dough 10 or 12 times while forming into a round loaf shape. Do not overwork the dough!
- 7
Transfer the loaf to the prepared dutch oven, baking sheet or cast iron skillet.
- 8
Use a sharp knife to cut an "X" into the top of the loaf about 3/4" deep. Brush the top of the loaf with more buttermilk if you want.
- 9
Bake for 45 to 55 minutes or until the bread is golden brown on top and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
- 10
Allow bread to cool to room temperature before slicing. Enjoy plain or with butter, jam or honey.