Warm, hearty, and oh-so-easy to make, Irish Soda Bread is a classic that never goes out of style! With its rustic crust and tender crumb, this no-yeast bread is perfect for serving with soups, stews, or simply slathered with butter.
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Why This Recipe Works
- Quick and Easy: No yeast or kneading required, making Irish Soda Bread a fuss-free bread to whip up anytime.
- Rustic and Delicious: Its golden crust and tender, slightly tangy crumb make it irresistible.
- Versatile and Timeless: Perfect with butter, jam, or alongside hearty dishes like soups and stews.
🥘 Ingredients
- Baking Soda: The leavening agent that helps the bread rise, creating its characteristic texture and lightness.
- Flour: The base of the bread, providing structure and texture, giving it a light and fluffy crumb.
- Whole Wheat Flour: Adds a nutty, hearty flavor and boosts the bread’s nutritional value with added fiber.
- Black Raisins: Sweet bursts of flavor that add natural sweetness and a chewy texture to the bread.
- Sugar: Balances the flavors and enhances the sweetness of the raisins.
- Buttermilk or Milk: Reacts with the baking soda to create a tender, moist crumb while adding a slight tangy flavor.
- Salt: Brings out the flavor of the other ingredients, balancing sweetness and enhancing the overall taste.
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
📖 Substitutions & Variations
- Fruit Mix: Swap black raisins for dried cranberries, currants, or chopped dried apricots for a fruity twist.
- Savory Twist: Omit the sugar and raisins and add grated cheddar cheese, chopped chives, or garlic powder for a savory version.
- Seed Mix: Add sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, or sesame seeds for extra crunch and flavor.
🔪How To Make Irish Soda Bread
Step One: In a mixing bowl, combine all the dry ingredients, including the flour, whole wheat flour, sugar, salt, and baking soda. Stir until evenly blended.
Step Two: Add the milk or buttermilk to the dry ingredients and mix until a dough forms. Knead the dough gently on a lightly floured surface until it comes together.
Step Three: Rinse the raisins thoroughly, then add them to the dough. Knead again briefly to incorporate the raisins evenly.
Step Four: Place the dough in a greased or lined mold, shaping it as needed. Let it rest at room temperature for about 20 minutes to settle.
Step Five: Preheat the oven to 360°F (180°C). Bake the bread for 35 minutes, or until it is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
Step Six: Allow the bread to cool slightly before slicing. Serve warm and enjoy!
👩🍳 Expert Tips
- Measure Accurately: Ensure precise measurement of dry and wet ingredients to achieve the correct dough consistency. Too much flour can make the bread dry, while too little can make it too sticky.
- Don’t Overwork the Dough: Mix and knead the dough gently to avoid developing too much gluten, which can result in a tough texture.
- Use Cold Ingredients: Keep the buttermilk or milk cold to maintain the traditional soda bread texture.
💭 FAQs
Avoid over-kneading the dough. Mix just until combined, as overworking it can lead to a dense texture. Also, ensure your baking soda is fresh for proper leavening.
Cracking is normal and gives soda bread its rustic appearance. However, ensuring even mixing and not overworking the dough can help control excessive cracking.
Yes, but omit the baking soda and reduce the salt since self-rising flour already contains leavening agents and salt.
Yes, you can bake it a day ahead. Store it in an airtight container at room temperature and warm it slightly before serving to refresh its flavor.
Store leftover bread in an airtight container or wrapped in foil at room temperature for up to 2 days.
🧂Serving Suggestions
Here are some great ways to serve Irish Soda Bread:
- Scrambled Eggs: Serve with a side of creamy scrambled eggs for a delicious breakfast. Read here for more info: Can You Freeze Scrambled Eggs?
- Green Salad: A light, fresh green salad with a lemony dressing complements the rich, dense bread.
- Vegan Baked Beans: A warming dish like baked beans or a bean casserole goes perfectly with Irish soda bread for a comforting meal.
- Jam or Marmalade: Serve with fruit preserves like Strawberry Jam, raspberry jam, or Orange Marmalade for a sweet contrast to the bread's tangy flavor.
🍽 More Easy Bread Recipes
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Irish Soda Bread
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Flour
- 1 Cup Whole wheat flour
- ⅓ Cup Black raisins
- ¼ Cup Sugar
- 1 Cup Buttermilk or milk
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Baking soda
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine all the dry ingredients, including the flour, whole wheat flour, sugar, salt, and baking soda. Stir until evenly blended.
- Add the milk or buttermilk to the dry ingredients and mix until a dough forms. Knead the dough gently on a lightly floured surface until it comes together.
- Rinse the raisins thoroughly, then add them to the dough. Knead again briefly to incorporate the raisins evenly.
- Place the dough in a greased or lined mold, shaping it as needed. Let it rest at room temperature for about 20 minutes to settle.
- Preheat the oven to 360°F (180°C). Bake the bread for 35 minutes, or until it is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
- Allow the bread to cool slightly before slicing. Serve warm and enjoy!
Just baked this Irish Soda Bread, and it turned out beautifully! The crust was perfectly golden, and the inside was soft and flavorful.