Delicious, Easy and Quick Irish Soda Bread

This weekend, I made the most delicious, crusty Irish soda bread from things I already had in my pantry and fridge. Is there any better smell than that of freshly baked bread? But most people are afraid of the work involved in bread recipes. And with St. Paddy’s Day just around the corner (March 17), this recipe is timely.

Irish soda bread is a traditional quick bread cherished in Irish culinary history. Unlike yeast-leavened bread, soda bread utilizes baking soda and buttermilk as leavening agents, resulting in a dense yet tender crumb with a crisp crust. 

Origins of Irish Soda Bread

The simplicity of soda bread’s ingredients—flour, baking soda, salt, and buttermilk—reflects its origins during times when resources were limited. This bread became a staple in Irish households due to its affordability and ease of preparation.

This Irish soda bread is quick and easy to make. I took many pictures so you can see how to make this great treat step-by-step. Honestly, you’re looking at ninety minutes from start to finish, with sixty minutes being passive bread-baking in the oven time! So please read on. If you have any questions, drop me a comment below or DM me at @drjuliemarshall. This is such a tasty bread to make! It’s delicious right out of the oven, and I think it even better the next day when I toast it, slather on melted butter and pair it with a cup of black tea. Perfection!! Here’s how to make this recipe:

Quick Irish Soda Bread

Ingredients:

-4 cups unsifted all-purpose flour

-1 Tablespoon Kosher salt

-3/4 tsp baking soda

-3/4 tsp baking powder

2 cups buttermilk (or you can substitute 2 cups of regular milk mixed with 2 T of lemon juice; allow to stand for five minutes)

2 cups golden raisins (or you can mix one cup of regular raisins with one cup of golden ones)

2 tablespoons of caraway seeds

Steps:

–Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

-Combine flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, raisins, and caraway seeds in a medium bowl.

–Make a well in the center, pour the buttermilk, and mix well.

-Cover a section of the countertop with saran wrap about three feet wide. Dust it lightly with flour. (This will make your cleanup so much easier!)

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-Stir the mixture a few times in the bowl to bring the dough together. Don’t overmix; attempt to stir the buttermilk into the flour mixture. Combine ingredients gently to avoid overworking the dough, which can lead to toughness. At this phase, the dough will look like this.

-Now, turn the mixture out onto the saran-wrapped countertop. Sprinkle it lightly with some extra flour, and then knead the dough several times until you’ve formed a soft dough.

Shape the dough into a 6-inch round loaf and place it on a greased baking sheet. With a sharp knife, cut a large X on the top of the dough. This traditional cross allows for even baking.

-Bake for about 60 minutes until light golden brown.

-Remove from cookie sheet and let cool on a rack or stove burner.

-Allow the bread to cool all the way. Slice your Irish soda bread with a serrated knife.

While the traditional recipe is cherished for its simplicity, various adaptations have emerged over time:

• Brown Soda Bread: Incorporates wholemeal flour, offering a nuttier flavor and denser texture. 

• Sweet Additions: Some versions include raisins, currants, or caraway seeds to introduce subtle sweetness or aromatic notes. 

• Savory Twists: Modern takes might feature ingredients like cheddar cheese and herbs, adding depth to the flavor profile

XO,

Dr. Julie

PS Here are more posts for you to enjoy; click on my blog: Home Page – Dr. Julie’s Fun Life (drjuliesfunlife.com)

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