Irish Soda Bread Recipe | Tips on How to Make EASY Soda Bread


This easy Irish Soda Bread recipe is soft and tender with a crunchy crust! It’s filled with raisins, and so good with little butter!

I am exactly zero percent Irish, so this certainly isn’t a family soda bread recipe in terms of authenticity. BUT it is a family recipe. My mom made this Irish Soda Bread when I was little, and I have made it as an adult many times. I use her recipe card that was most likely copied from a magazine in the 80s. However, I have found, authentic or not, it’s an incredibly easy, foolproof recipe, while being super delish!

Easy Irish Soda Bread Recipe

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This is an Easy Irish Soda Bread Recipe

Not only is it easy, it’s delicious! What I love about this “bread” recipe, is there is no yeast involved, so when I say it’s quick and easy, I mean it! Kind of like my No Yeast Cinnamon Rolls, this Irish Soda Bread uses leavening agents to aid in the rising, as opposed to yeast. You’ll have it all set to eat in under 45 minutes from start to finish…just enough time to let you butter come up to room temperature!

Is There Yeast In Soda Bread?

Nope! The great thing about Irish Soda Bread is there is no yeast necessary, and instead uses leavening agents, like baking soda (hence the name) and baking powder combined with buttermilk to get the rise and fluffy texture! The buttermilk in the dough contains lactic acid, which reacts with the baking soda and powder to form tiny bubbles of carbon dioxide…which is what causes the bread to rise!

How to make Irish soda breadHow Do You Make Irish Soda Bread?

Like I said this recipe will be done from start to finish in under 45 minutes. All you need is a large bowl and a pastry cutter (or even a fork). You simply mix the dry ingredients in a bowl, cut in cold butter until it resembles coarse sand, add in the wet ingredients and stir until just combined. Next add in your raisins, and knead the dough 5-10 times until it comes together. Don’t over-mix, because you don’t want too much gluten to form, making the dough chewy. Soda Bread should have a tender, soft crumb.

This recipe makes 2 loaves, which I love because you can save one for later, or gift it to a friend!

Can You Freeze Soda Bread?

Yes, absolutely. Wrap your baked loaf in plastic wrap and then again in foil and store in the freezer for 1-2 months. Thaw and then reheat as desired!

Tips On Making Irish Soda Bread

I really feel like my Soda Bread Recipe is foolproof. It’s very hard to mess up. Only over mixing or over baking could produce bad results. BUT there a few things you can do to this recipe to make it even better! Here are some tricks:

  • Use European Butter, or Kerrygold Irish Butter! The higher butterfat content in the butter lends to a richer Soda Bread, and add to a more tender crumb.
  • Add a little orange zest! This is a good trick if you like a citrus note in your bread, which I think pairs well with the raisins. Just a few teaspoons will really add some flavor.
  • To enhance the crunchy crust of soda bread, sprinkle the dough with turbinado sugar or even granulated sugar. Not only will it add a sweetness, but it gives it a sweet crunch.
  • Once you cut the soda bread, wrap it up tightly to store in foil or plastic wrap. Soda bread will dry out quickly, so keeping it fresh is key!
  • If raisins aren’t your thing, you can sub in currants, or even dried cranberries!

This easy Irish Soda Bread recipe is soft and tender with a crunchy crust!

Looking for more quick bread recipes? Try these:

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Easy Soda Bread Recipe

Description

This easy Irish Soda Bread recipe is soft and tender with a crunchy crust! It’s filled with raisins, and so good with little butter!


Ingredients

  • 4 cups all purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 cup cold butter, cubed
  • 2 eggs, whisked
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 cup raisins

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven o 375°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper, and set aside.
  2. In a large bowl whisk together the flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Cut in butter, using a pastry cutter until mixture resembles coarse sand. Mix in the whisked eggs and buttermilk until just moistened. Stir in the raisins. Either in the bowl or on a lightly floured surface knead the bread 5-10 times until dough comes together.
  3. Divide the dough in half and round the halves into round loaves. Place 6 inched apart onto the prepared baking sheet and bake for 30-35 minutes until golden brown.
  4. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.
  5. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Notes

Soda bread dries out quickly, so once you cut it, make sure to wrap it in foil to lock in the moisture.

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