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slices of Irish soda bread next to loaf
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5 from 70 votes

Irish Soda Bread

Traditional Irish Soda Bread is made with buttermilk, Irish butter, baking soda (hence the name soda bread). It's easy to make is best served warm from the oven with Irish butter and jam!
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time50 minutes
Total Time1 hour 5 minutes
Course: Bread
Cuisine: Irish
Servings: 12
Calories: 277kcal

Equipment

  • 10 inch Cast Iron Skillet

Ingredients

  • 4 cups all-purpose flour plus ¼ cup more for dusting
  • 3 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 6 tablespoon unsalted butter cold- plus ½ tablespoon to grease pan
  • 1 ¾ cups buttermilk cold
  • 1 large egg cold
  • 1 cup raisins (optional)

Instructions

  • Preheat oven at 375˚F. Generously grease a 10” cast-iron skillet with ½ tablespoon of butter.
  • In a large bowl whisk together the flour, sugar, salt, and baking soda.
  • Cut the very cold butter into small pieces and use your fingers to work the butter into the flour until crumbs begin to form.
  • Mix in the raisins, breaking up any clumps of raisins.
  • Whisk together the buttermilk and egg in a bowl or large mixing cup.
  • Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and add the buttermilk mixture into the well of the flour mixture. Using a rubber spatula or a wooden spoon mix the buttermilk into the flour mixture until it just comes together. 
    Don’t over mix!
  • Transfer the dough to a floured surface and use well-floured hands to shape the dough until it forms into a round loaf. It should be a little rough-looking.
    If it’s too sticky to handle, dust lightly with additional flour. 
    *Be careful not to overwork the dough or the soda bread will be tough
  • Transfer to a floured surface and use floured hands to shape the dough just until it forms into a round loaf. It should be shaggy. If it’s too sticky to handle, dust lightly with flour.
    Do not over-mix or bread will be tough.
  • Transfer the formed round loaf to the buttered cast iron pan. Use a sharp knife to score the top of the loaf with a large and deep “X”.
    Place the cast-iron pan on the center rack of a 375 degree F. preheated oven for 50-55min.
  • When you tap on the bread, it should sound hollow inside, or if you use an instant-read thermometer, the internal temperature should be 180 degrees F.
  • Allow the soda bread to cool on a wire rack and serve warm.

Nutrition

Calories: 277kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 34mg | Sodium: 526mg | Potassium: 199mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 255IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 54mg | Iron: 2mg