Description
American Irish Soda Bread is the perfect blend of tradition and convenience. With its dense yet tender crumb, a slightly sweet flavor, and a crispy golden crust, this quick bread is an absolute must for any St. Patrick’s Day celebration—or anytime you’re craving a comforting, homemade loaf. It’s simple to make, requires no yeast, and can be on your table in just over an hour!
Ingredients
Units
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- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (or whole wheat flour for a denser loaf)
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1/2 cup cold butter
- 1 1/2 cups buttermilk (or substitute with milk and 1 tbsp lemon juice)
- 3/4 cup raisins or currants (optional)
Instructions
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Preheat the oven:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent sticking.
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Mix the dry ingredients:
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and sugar until evenly combined.
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Cut in the butter:
- Add the cold butter to the dry ingredients. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs, with small pea-sized bits of butter throughout.
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Add the buttermilk and raisins:
- Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the buttermilk. Stir gently with a wooden spoon until the dough begins to come together, being careful not to overmix. Once combined, fold in the raisins if using.
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Shape the dough:
- Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and gently knead a few times until it forms a rough ball. Shape the dough into a round loaf and place it onto the prepared baking sheet.
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Score the top:
- Using a sharp knife, make a shallow X-shaped cut on the top of the loaf to allow it to bake evenly and create the classic soda bread appearance.
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Bake the bread:
- Bake the bread in the preheated oven for 35-45 minutes, or until golden brown and sounding hollow when tapped on the bottom. Keep an eye on the bread as baking time may vary based on your oven.
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Cool and serve:
- Allow the bread to cool on a wire rack for at least 15 minutes before slicing. Serve warm or at room temperature with butter, jam, or just on its own.
Notes
- Don’t overmix the dough: Overmixing can lead to a dense, tough bread, so mix just enough to bring the dough together.
- Use cold butter: Cold butter is essential for a flaky, tender texture in soda bread.
- Shape the dough gently: Handle the dough gently to avoid overworking it and ensure a delicate crumb.
- Check doneness by tapping: A hollow sound when tapping the bottom of the loaf indicates it’s done baking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 230mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 20mg