Description
This Irish Soda Bread is a delightful treat with a crunchy crust and soft interior. Made with easy-to-find ingredients like buttermilk and flour, it’s perfect for any occasion. Enjoy this comforting bread fresh from your oven, ideal for dinner or breakfast!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ¾ cups raisins, or currants, optional*
- ⅔ cup irish whiskey such as jameson, or apple juice or white grape juice, optional
- 4 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 3 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 ¾ cups buttermilk*
- 2 large eggs + 2 yolks, use the extra whites for an omelette or scrambled eggs
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted; divided
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons turbinado sugar, optional (granulated sugar may be substituted)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F and prepare a nonstick baking sheet with cooking spray or heat a greased 9-inch cast iron skillet.
- If using raisins, soak them in Irish whiskey or juice to plump them while you prepare the dough.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; set aside.
- In another bowl, combine buttermilk, eggs, 3 tablespoons of melted butter, and sugar, whisking until smooth.
- Combine the wet and dry ingredients, mixing gently without overworking the dough.
- If using raisins, drain and fold them into the dough cautiously.
- Transfer the dough onto the prepared baking sheet or skillet, shaping it into a round loaf.
- Score the top of the dough with a large X, cutting about ½ inch deep.
- Brush the surface with the remaining melted butter and optionally sprinkle with turbinado sugar.
- Bake for 45 to 60 minutes until golden brown and cooked through; rotate midway if necessary.
- Let the bread cool completely before slicing, and enjoy with butter.
Notes
For extra flavor, consider soaking the raisins in whiskey overnight.
If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make a substitute by mixing milk with a bit of vinegar or lemon juice.
Store the bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 185
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 290mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 29g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 63mg