St. Patricks Irish Soda Bread (Printable Version)
Tender Irish soda bread with raisins and a golden crust, ideal for St. Patricks Day celebrations.
# What You Need:
→ Dry Ingredients
01 - 4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 teaspoon baking soda
03 - 1 teaspoon salt
04 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
→ Add-ins
05 - 1 cup raisins or currants
→ Wet Ingredients
06 - 1 3/4 cups buttermilk
07 - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and sugar until well combined.
03 - Stir in raisins or currants until evenly distributed throughout the flour mixture.
04 - Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Pour in buttermilk and melted butter. Mix gently with a wooden spoon or hands until a shaggy dough forms; do not overmix.
05 - Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface. Gently knead just until it comes together, about 30 seconds. Shape into a round loaf approximately 7 inches across and place on the prepared baking sheet.
06 - Using a sharp knife, cut a deep X across the top of the loaf about ½ inch deep to allow proper expansion during baking.
07 - Bake for 35 to 40 minutes until the loaf is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
08 - Transfer bread to a wire rack and let cool for at least 20 minutes before slicing to serve.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- From pantry to plate in under an hour with zero waiting for dough to rise
- The combination of buttermilk and melted butter creates a texture that is both hearty and tender
- That signature golden crust and soft interior makes every slice feel like a warm embrace
02 -
- Overworking the dough will make your bread tough, so mix and knead as little as possible
- The X cut is not just traditional, it helps the heat penetrate the center and encourages even baking
- Wait at least 20 minutes before slicing, otherwise the steam escapes too quickly and the texture becomes dry
03 -
- Room temperature ingredients help the dough come together more evenly
- If you do not have buttermilk, mix regular milk with a tablespoon of vinegar and let it sit for 5 minutes