Easy Irresistible Irish Soda Bread with Raisins
A quick and forgiving Irish soda bread recipe with plump raisins, perfect for beginners and cozy gatherings. This bread offers a rustic texture with a subtle sweetness and a tender crumb.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings 1x
- Category: Bread
- Cuisine: Irish
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups (360g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk (or 1 cup milk mixed with 1 tablespoon vinegar or lemon juice, let sit 5 minutes)
- 3/4 cup (115g) raisins
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar (optional)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease a cast iron skillet.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and brown sugar if using.
- Toss the raisins into the dry ingredients, coating them lightly with flour.
- Make a well in the center and pour in the buttermilk and melted butter. Stir gently with a wooden spoon until the dough just comes together; it will be sticky but manageable.
- Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead lightly 3-4 times to form a ball. Avoid overworking.
- Shape the dough into a round loaf about 7 inches (18 cm) in diameter. Place on the prepared baking sheet or skillet.
- Using a sharp knife, cut a deep ‘X’ on top of the loaf.
- Bake for 35-45 minutes until golden brown and hollow sounding when tapped on the bottom. Tent with foil if crust browns too quickly.
- Transfer to a cooling rack and let rest at least 30 minutes before slicing.
Notes
Use fresh baking soda for best rise. Avoid overmixing to prevent dense bread. Let bread cool completely before slicing to avoid gummy texture. If dough is too sticky, add a little more flour carefully. You can substitute gluten-free flour blend with xanthan gum for gluten-free version. Buttermilk can be replaced with milk and vinegar/lemon juice mixture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/10th of l
- Calories: 180
- Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Protein: 4
Keywords: Irish soda bread, soda bread with raisins, easy Irish bread, quick bread, beginner bread recipe, traditional Irish bread, no yeast bread