Description
This traditional Grandma’s Irish Soda Bread is the perfect St. Patrick’s Day treat! It’s soft, slightly sweet, and filled with raisins, creating the ideal balance of flavor and texture. The simple ingredients and no-yeast method make it a quick and easy bread that everyone will love!
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 1 cup raisins or currants (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a round 9-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and sugar.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Pour in the buttermilk and melted butter, and stir until the dough just comes together. Be careful not to overwork the dough.
- Add Raisins: If using raisins or currants, fold them into the dough.
- Shape the Dough: Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and gently shape it into a round loaf. Place the dough into the prepared baking pan.
- Cut the Top: Using a sharp knife, make a deep “X” across the top of the loaf to help it cook evenly and give it the traditional Irish soda bread appearance.
- Bake the Bread: Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the bread to cool on a wire rack before slicing. Serve with butter and jam for the ultimate treat.
Notes
- If you don’t have buttermilk, you can substitute it with regular milk mixed with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar. Let it sit for 5 minutes before using.
- For a more rustic loaf, you can skip the pan and bake the dough on a baking sheet instead.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40-45 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Irish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (out of 10)
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 190mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 10mg