Traditional Irish Soda Bread
This delicious, rustic loaf is an iconic part of traditional Irish cuisine and even though preparing it can seem intimidating at first, you'll be pleasantly surprised by how straightforward the process actually is! Read on for all the tips, tricks, and recipe info you need to have a successful go at making this authentically Irish treat!
Ingredients
Let's gather the ingredients!
- 1¾ cups buttermilk
- 1 large egg
- 4½ cups all-purpose flour
- 3 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 5 tbsp unsalted butter cold and cubed small
- 1 cup raisins
Instructions
Let's Begin!
- Preheat oven to 400°F, and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the buttermilk and egg until fully combined. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, mix the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt.
- Add the butter and cut them using a pastry cutter or a fork until the butter is pea-sized crumbs. Then stir in the raisins
- Pour in the buttermilk/egg mixture. Gently fold the dough together until the dough it is too stiff to stir. Pour crumbly dough onto a lightly floured work surface.
- With floured hands, work the dough into a ball as best you can, then knead for about 30 seconds or until all the flour is moistened. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour.
- Transfer the dough to the prepared baking sheet. Using a very sharp knife, score a 1/2-inch deep "X" into the top. Bake until the bread is golden brown and the center appears cooked through, about 45-55 minutes.
- Loosely tent the bread with aluminum foil if you notice heavy browning on top. For an accurate test, bread is done when an instant-read thermometer reads 190°F.
- Remove from the oven and allow the bread to cool for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
- Serve warm, and enjoy with family and friends!