cinderellasapron Today we are making my family’s classic, quick and easy Irish Soda Bread recipe. This bread is more of a plain, crusty bread that you would serve with soup, stew, or alongside a meal. It was a staple in Irish cooking because it is very cheap to make, but filling and so delicious. I make it year round as a quick dinner bread, and it is always a winner. I am also including the recipe for my favorite sweet Irish soda bread with raisins that you would traditionally see around St. Patrick’s Day!
Quick and Easy Irish Soda Bread
Credit: cinderellasapron.com
Ingredients
- 3 1/2 to 4 cups all purpose flour
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 and 3/4 cup buttermilk (or 1 and 3/4 c. milk with 1 and 1/2 TBSP. vinegar)
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Grease and flour a 9 inch cake pan. 2. Combine the flour, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. 3. Stir in the buttermilk. The dough will be sticky. 4. On a lightly floured surface, turn the dough out and knead it together, adding a little flour at a time, until the dough is no longer sticky and a smooth ball. 5. Place the ball of dough in the cake pan. Cut an X into the top. 6. Bake 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. 7. Allow to cool for 10 minutes, then remove from pan and place on cooling rack. Serve warm or room temperature with softened butter and your favorite soup, stew, or meal.
Classic Irish Soda Bread (with Raisins)
Credit: cinderellasapron.com
Ingredients
- 3 1/2 to 4 cups all purpose flour
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 4 Tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 Tablespoons cold butter, cubed or grated in
- 1 and 3/4 cup buttermilk (or 1 and 3/4 c. milk with 1 and 1/2 TBSP. vinegar)
- 1 egg
- 1 cup raisins
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Grease and flour a 9 inch cake pan. 2. Combine the flour, baking soda, sugar, and salt in a large bowl. 3. Grate the cold butter in and stir. 4. Combine the buttermilk and egg, and pour into the dry ingredients. 5. Once incorporated, stir in the raisins. The dough will still be sticky. 6. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead a few times, adding a little flour if needed, until it forms a ball. 7. Place in cake pan, cut an X in the top, and bake for 45-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
