Easy Irish Soda Bread

With its golden crust, tender crumb, and no yeast required, this Easy Irish Soda Bread is a foolproof recipe perfect for both beginners and seasoned bakers! Made with simple pantry staples like all-purpose flour, baking soda, and a touch of sugar, this rustic bread is brought together by tangy buttermilk and enriched with a single egg for added moisture. The cold, cubed butter creates a subtle flakiness, while the optional raisins add a delightful burst of sweetness. Requiring only 15 minutes of hands-on prep time and no need for kneading or rising, this traditional Irish bread comes together effortlessly. Whether served warm with a generous smear of butter, as a hearty side to soups and stews, or as part of your St. Patrick’s Day feast, this soda bread is a timeless classic begging to be shared.

Nutriscore Rating: 63/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 1.75 cups buttermilk
• 1 egg, large
• 1 cup raisins (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease a cast-iron skillet.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt until well combined.

Step 3

Add the cold, cubed butter to the dry ingredients. Using a pastry cutter or your fingertips, work the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.

Step 4

In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk and egg until combined.

Step 5

Create a well in the center of the flour mixture and pour in the buttermilk mixture. Stir with a wooden spoon or spatula until the dough comes together. If using raisins, fold them in at this stage.

Step 6

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead for about 1 minute, just until it forms a cohesive ball. Avoid over-kneading.

Step 7

Shape the dough into a round loaf and transfer it to the prepared baking sheet or skillet.

Step 8

Using a sharp knife, score a deep 'X' into the top of the loaf. This helps the bread bake evenly and gives it its classic look.

Step 9

Bake in the preheated oven for 40–45 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.

Step 10

Allow the bread to cool on a wire rack for at least 20 minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy with butter or alongside your favorite meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1216.9 grams (1216.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3101

Total Fat 70.70g	91%
Saturated Fat 40.00g	200%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.80g
Cholesterol 357mg	119%
Sodium 2427mg	106%
Total Carbohydrate 549.20g	200%
Dietary Fiber 19.50g	70%
Total Sugars 148.50g
Protein 75.00g	150%

Vitamin D 290IU	1450%
Calcium 704mg	54%
Iron 27mg	148%
Potassium 2452mg	52%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 20.3%

Protein: 9.6%

Carbs: 70.1%