I love fresh bread. While I sometimes use my bread machine to make fresh loaves, I also love the simplicity of soda bread. Soda bread is bread leavened with baking soda instead of the traditional yeast. Many variations of soda bread are available, but I have a special affection for the recipe given to my mom by a family friend. This Irish soda bread is perfect for St. Patrick’s Day and pairs especially well with corned beef.
Ingredients
- 4 cups of unsifted flour
- 1/4 cup of white sugar
- 1 teaspoon of baking soda
- 1 tablespoon of baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1/2 cup of butter
- 1 1/2 cups of buttermilk
- 1 egg
- 2 cups of raisins
- 1 tablespoon of caraway seeds
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 375°.
- Combine the flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl
- Cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse meal.
- Add the buttermilk and beaten egg to the mixture. Stir until blended.
- Add the raisins and caraway seeds to the dough.
- Knead the dough until smooth.
- Shape the dough into two round loaves.
- Place the loaves on a greased baking sheet.
- Cut a cross into the top of each loaf.
- Bake for 40 minutes or until lightly browned.
- Allow the Irish soda bread to cool before cutting.
- Store the cooled Irish soda bread in an airtight container.
Image Credits
Irish Soda Bread Recipe © 2018 Heather Johnson
Flour for Irish Soda Bread © 2018 Heather Johnson
Dry Ingredients for Irish Soda Bread © 2018 Heather Johnson
Combining the Dry Ingredients for Irish Soda Bread © 2018 Heather Johnson
Butter for Irish Soda Bread © 2018 Heather Johnson
Buttermilk for Irish Soda Bread © 2018 Heather Johnson
Egg for Irish Soda Bread © 2018 Heather Johnson
Stirring the Dough for Irish Soda Bread © 2018 Heather Johnson
Caraway Seeds for Irish Soda Bread © 2018 Heather Johnson
Dough for Irish Soda Bread © 2018 Heather Johnson
Unbaked Irish Soda Bread © 2018 Heather Johnson
Baked Irish Soda Bread © 2018 Heather Johnson
Irish Soda Bread © 2018 Heather Johnson