Description
This Irish Soda Bread is a delightful blend of buttermilk and butter, creating a tender loaf that is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. With the option for raisins, it’s perfect as a comforting meal or a quick snack. Easy to make and delicious, it’s a must-try for anyone looking for simpler homemade recipes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 and 3/4 cups (420ml) buttermilk*
- 1 large egg (optional, see note)
- 4 and 1/4 cups (531g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled), plus more for your hands and counter
- 3 tablespoons (38g) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 5 tablespoons (71g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed*
- optional: 1 cup (150g) raisins
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C). Choose your baking pan: a lined baking sheet, a seasoned cast iron skillet, or a greased cake pan. If using a dutch oven, keep the lid off while baking.
- In a bowl, whisk together the buttermilk and egg. In a larger bowl, mix the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt. Cut in the cold butter until pea-sized crumbs form. Stir in the raisins, then add the buttermilk mixture and fold until the dough is too stiff to stir.
- Transfer the dough onto a floured surface and knead gently to combine.
- Shape the dough into a ball and place it in your prepared pan. Score the top with a sharp knife, making a deep slash or an X.
- Bake for 45-55 minutes until golden brown and a thermometer reads 195°F (90°C) at the center.
- Let the bread cool for 10 minutes before moving it to a wire rack. Serve warm, at room temperature, or toasted.
Notes
To prevent over-browning, cover the loaf with aluminum foil midway through baking if necessary.
Leftover bread can be stored at room temperature for two days or in the fridge for up to a week, wrapped tightly.
For added flavor, consider adding seeds or herbs to the dough.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 20mg