Irish Soda Bread

What quick bread is more popular this time of year than Irish Soda Bread. Made from pantry staples, this homemade bread is adaptable and an easy accompaniment for any dinner during these cold months. 

It’s hard to believe that I’ve been blogging on here for something like 13 years and I don’t have any recipes on here for St Patrick’s Day. Well, I do have Guinness and Baileys Cupcakes but I’m not really sure that counts.

That total fail on here is what inspired today’s recipe. A few weeks ago, I had two days of class from home – something that NEVER happens. I got to sleep in a little, learn about something that interested me, ditch the commute, and sneak in a little extra time to get some stuff done. I folded clothes on fast speed during breaks. I knit a whole lot while listening to the lectures. And during our lunch break, I walked the dog and got this bread in the oven.

Irish Soda Bread is a quick bread that is super easy to make. Toss a few things in the mixer, knead 4 or 5 times, and pop in the oven. That’s it. No need to wait for the dough to rise. No need to prep anything ahead of time. Just 10-15 minutes of prep and less than an hour later, you have fresh bread. You’re welcome.

Recipe Notes:

• When researching this recipe, many call for dried currants or raisins. That’s optional, and I chose to skip them so that my kids would be more likely to enjoy the bread. If you’d like to add them, toss 1 c. dried currants or raisins with 1 Tbs. all-purpose flour (to prevent sticking). Stir in just before the flour is completely incorporated. 

Irish Soda Bread Serving Suggestions:

You can really serve this bread as a side for any of your favorite dinners, but here’s a few seasonal options that I think you’ll enjoy. 

• • Slow Cooker Beef Stew – this is what I served it with! 
  • Guinness Beef Stew (instant pot recipe)
  • Bangers and Mash with Stout Gravy
  • Homemade Corned Beef
  • Ulster Fry Breakfast

Did you try this recipe? Rate the recipe and leave me a comment, telling me what you thought! 

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Irish Soda Bread

What quick bread is more popular this time of year than Irish Soda Bread. Made from pantry staples, this homemade bread is adaptable and an easy accompaniment for any dinner during these cold months. 

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 55 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes

Author Liz

Ingredients

• 4 1/4 c. all-purpose flour divided
• 4 Tbs. granulated sugar
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
• 4 Tbs. cold unsalted butter cut into 1-Tbs. pieces
• 1 3/4 c. cold buttermilk
• 1 extra-large egg

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
2. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, add 4 c. flour, sugar, baking soda and kosher salt. Mix on low speed to incorporate. With the mixer running, add butter. Continue beating, increasing speed slightly if needed, until butter is complete incorporated.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together buttermilk and egg. With the mixer on low speed, pour wet ingredients in with dry. Increase speed to medium and mix until well combined. Dough will be very sticky.

4. Lightly flour a clean worksurface with remaining 1/4 c. flour (use more if needed). Turn out dough onto counter or workspace. Lightly flour hands and kneed dough a few times to form a round loaf. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet. With a serrated knight, lightly cut an X into the top of the loaf.

5. Cook in preheated oven for 45-55 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into middle comes out clean.
6. Allow loaf to cool on a wire baking rack.
7. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Recipe Notes

If desired, you can add dried currants or raisins to the bread. Toss 1 c. dried currants or raisins with 1 Tbs. all-purpose flour (to prevent sticking). Stir in just before the flour is completely incorporated. 

Adapted from Barefoot Contessa at Home (affiliate link) p. 234.