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No yeast Irish soda bread uses simple ingredients for a crispy, flavorful pairing to your favorite main dish!
We love to serve bread with our favorite soups and salads. While our traditional White Bread is delicious, this Irish soda bread is quick and just as delicious!
An Irish Classic To Love!
Irish soda bread is a type of soda bread which is a type of quick bread. Instead of using yeast quick breads use baking powder and baking soda as a leavening agent.
Why we love it:
- Quick and easy. This Irish soda bread recipe uses simple ingredients and has a quick prep!
- Delicious. Irish soda bread is often served alongside a hearty meal such as Beef Stew or as a snack slathered with Butter or Jam.
- Tradition. Irish soda bread is known for its use of simplistic ingredients, has a golden brown crispy crust, and a distinctive X score on the top.
The “X” on top of traditional Irish soda bread is often associated with a Christian Cross, symbolic of blessings and protections. I can also represent the 4 provinces of Ireland.
Ingredients
- all-purpose flour
- sugar
- salt
- baking powder
- unsalted butter – The cold butter creates small pockets of fat that will melt during baking. These pockets of melted butter create steam, which helps to create a light and flaky texture in the final baked product. If the butter is too soft or melted, it won’t create these steam pockets, resulting in a denser texture.
- raisins
- buttermilk – The acidity in buttermilk has a chemical reaction with the baking soda to help produce an airy texture. Make a substitute by combining an acidic ingredient like white vinegar or lemon juice with regular milk.
- egg
- baking soda
How to Make Irish Soda Bread
- PREP. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- DRY INGREDIENTS. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder. Cut in the butter using a pastry blender. Toss the raisins in the flour mixture.
- WET INGREDIENTS. In a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the buttermilk, egg, and baking soda.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix gently with a wooden spoon until just combined.
- SHAPE + BAKE. Shape the dough into a round loaf on a sheet of parchment or a greased baking sheet, and cut two deep slashes on the top in a cross shape with a sharp knife. Bake 45-50 minutes or until golden brown.
- Allow the bread to cool in the pan for a few minutes before moving it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Recipe Tips
- Tough dough. The dough is not supposed to be smooth and will look somewhat ragged. Avoid overworking the dough or adding too much flour because it can cause tough, dry, and crumbly bread.
- Score. Don’t forget to score the top with an “X” or cut in parallel lines. Use a sharp knife to cut ¼ to ½ inches deep. This will help the top crust expand allowing the bread to cook throughout.
- Cutting the butter. Use a party blender or fork to cut through the butter over and over until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. This helps to distribute the butter evenly throughout the dough, resulting in a flaky texture in the bread.
- Added flavor. Many add caraway seeds or raisins to their bread dough for flavor and texture.
- Baking dishes. I used a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. You can also use a 9-10 inch cake pan or pie dish, a well-seasoned cast iron skillet or parchment lined 5 qt Dutch oven with the lid off.
Storing Info + Serving
- STORE. Allow the traditional Irish soda bread to cool completely before storing. Store the bread in an airtight container for about 3 days.
- FREEZE. To freeze Irish soda bread with raisins, wrap it tightly with plastic wrap and again with foil. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Serving suggestions. For some hearty meals serve easy Irish soda bread with Shepherds Pie, Potato Bacon Soup, Baked Salmon, Steak and Potatoes, or Sheet Pan Sausage and Veggies.
For More Bread:
Irish Soda Bread Recipe
No yeast Irish soda bread uses simple ingredients for a crispy, flavorful pairing to your favorite main dish!
Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- 2 cups raisins
- 1½ cups buttermilk
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder. Cut in the butter using a pastry blender. Toss the raisins in the flour mixture.
- In a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the buttermilk, egg, and baking soda.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix gently until just combined.
- Shape the dough into a round loaf on a sheet of parchment or a greased baking sheet, and cut two deep slashes on the top in a cross shape with a sharp knife. Bake 45-50 minutes or until golden brown.
Video
Nutrition
Calories: 357kcal, Carbohydrates: 68g, Protein: 8g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Trans Fat: 0.2g, Cholesterol: 33mg, Sodium: 396mg, Potassium: 389mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 7g, Vitamin A: 225IU, Vitamin C: 2mg, Calcium: 78mg, Iron: 3mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Haven’t made this yet – is 68 carbs per slice correct? Would it be good without the raisins added?
It’s an approximation. I’d say that’s probably for about 2 thick slices of the bread. The recipe serves 10, depending on how thick the bread is sliced. I love it with the raisins, but I’m sure it would still taste good without.