5.0 from 30 votes
Irish Soda Bread Recipe
The secret to Irish Soda Bread lies in baking soda and buttermilk. When combined, they release carbon dioxide which makes the bread rise without yeast.
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
1 hr
Servings: 12 slices
Calories: 263 kcal
Course:
Bread
Cuisine:
Irish
Ingredients
- 4 cup all-purpose flour plus extra as needed
- 4 tablespoons granulated sugar (see note 1)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 4 tablespoons butter cold and cut into 1/2" cubes
- 1 3/4 cups buttermilk cold (see note 2)
- 1 large egg lightly beaten
- 1 cup dried currants (see note 3)
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Combine flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Add butter and mix on low speed until butter is mixed into the flour.
- With a fork, lightly beat the buttermilk, egg, and orange zest together in a measuring cup. With mixer on low speed, slowly add buttermilk mixture to flour mixture.
- In a small bowl, mix currants with 1 tablespoon of flour, then mix into the dough. Dough will be very wet.
- Turn the dough out onto a well-floured board and knead a few times into a round loaf. Place the loaf on prepared sheet pan and lightly cut an X into the top of the bread with serrated knife.
- Bake for 45- 55 minutes, or until a toothpick or wooden skewer comes out clean. When you tap the loaf, it will have a hollow "thump" sound. Cool on a baking rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Sugar: For a less-sweet Irish soda bread, reduce sugar to 2 or 3 tablespoons.
- Buttermilk: You can make your own buttermilk with milk and lemon juice or vinegar.
- Currants: Currants are traditional but hard to find, so I bought these currants on Amazon and they were great.
- Yield: This recipe makes one loaf of bread, enough for 12 slices (more or less depending on how you cut them).
- Storage: Wrap leftover Irish Soda Bread in an airtight container or plastic bag and eat within 3 to 4 days. Keep it out of the refrigerator, though, or it will dry out quickly.
Nutrition Information
Serving
1 slice
Calories
263kcal
(13%)
Carbohydrates
47g
(16%)
Protein
6g
(12%)
Fat
6g
(9%)
Saturated Fat
3g
(15%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
0.5g
Monounsaturated Fat
1g
Trans Fat
0.2g
Cholesterol
29mg
(10%)
Sodium
461mg
(19%)
Potassium
192mg
(5%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
13g
(26%)
Vitamin A
206IU
(4%)
Vitamin C
1mg
(1%)
Calcium
61mg
(6%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 12slices
Amount Per Serving
Calories 263
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1 slice | |
| Calories | 263kcal | 13% |
| Carbohydrates | 47g | 16% |
| Protein | 6g | 12% |
| Fat | 6g | 9% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.5g | 3% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Trans Fat | 0.2g | 10% |
| Cholesterol | 29mg | 10% |
| Sodium | 461mg | 19% |
| Potassium | 192mg | 4% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 13g | 26% |
| Vitamin A | 206IU | 4% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 61mg | 6% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.