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Irish Soda Bread
5 from 15 votes

Irish Soda Bread

Irish Soda Bread features a soft dough enriched with butter, brown sugar, and vanilla, combined with baking soda and buttermilk for leavening. Incorporating raisins adds sweetness and texture. The dough is baked into a loaf with a characteristic cross cut on top. The result is a slightly sweet bread with a tender crumb.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
40 mins
Total Time
50 mins
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 244 kcal
Course: Bread
Cuisine: Irish

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup butter softened
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 egg large
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 ¼ cups buttermilk
  • 1 ¼ cups raisins

Instructions

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  1. Preheat the oven to 350 F.
  2. Add butter, brown sugar, vanilla, and egg to the bowl of a stand mixer.
  3. Mix until well-combined.
  4. Add flour, baking powder, baking soda, and buttermilk.
  5. Mix in until just combined. Don't overmix.
  6. Stir in the raisins.
  7. Spread the dough into prepared pan.
  8. Using a sharp knife, make cut a cross into the top of the dough.
  9. Bake for about 30-45 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  10. Let it cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10-15 minutes.
  11. Remove it from the pan, and let it continue to cool on the rack.
  12. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Notes

  • Use salted butter that is cool but slightly soft for better mixing and dough texture.
  • Adjust sugar to taste; reduce to ¼ to ⅓ cup for less sweetness if desired.
  • Vanilla is optional and adds subtle flavor; omit if preferred.
  • Measure flour properly by weighing or lightly spooning and leveling to avoid dense bread.
  • If no buttermilk is on hand, a buttermilk substitute can be used; both low-fat and full-fat work.
  • Raisins may be swapped with currants without changing texture substantially.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1serving Calories 244kcal (12%) Carbohydrates 46g (15%) Protein 5g (10%) Fat 5g (8%) Saturated Fat 3g (15%) Trans Fat 1g (50%) Cholesterol 25mg (8%) Sodium 165mg (7%) Potassium 315mg (7%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 10g (20%) Vitamin A 150IU (3%) Vitamin C 1mg (1%) Calcium 92mg (9%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 12 servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 244

% Daily Value*

Serving 1serving
Calories 244kcal 12%
Carbohydrates 46g 15%
Protein 5g 10%
Fat 5g 8%
Saturated Fat 3g 15%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 25mg 8%
Sodium 165mg 7%
Potassium 315mg 7%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 10g 20%
Vitamin A 150IU 3%
Vitamin C 1mg 1%
Calcium 92mg 9%
Iron 2mg 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.