I have a very Irish last name but know very little about the actual Irish culture. I know they have a soccer team. I know that Guiness comes from Ireland. And I know that the flag is a vibrant green, white and orange. I also know that the arts play a great role in the lives of the Irish – they’re famous for bagpipes. Or wait – maybe that’s Scotland?
See? I have a lot to learn.
I might not know Ireland but if there is one thing I know, it’s bread. I’m not big on corned beef and I could take or leave cabbage, so when March 17 rolls around, I think Irish Soda Bread. This recipe, which I pulled from a blog and now I can’t remember whose, let’s you kick off St. Patrick’s Day early. Unless of course, you’ve already started celebrating.
Irish Soda Bread
Author: Unknown
Recipe type: Breakfast & Brunch, Holiday Recipes
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 8-12 servings
Ingredients
- 4 to 4½ cups flour
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 4 Tbsp butter
- 1 cup raisins
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 2 cups buttermilk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°. Sift together 4 cups of flour, the sugar, salt and baking soda into a large bowl.
- Using a pastry cutter (I used my stand mixer and it worked fine), work butter into flour mixture until it resembles coarse meal, then stir in raisins.
- Make a well in the center of the flour mixture. Add beaten egg and buttermilk to well and mix in with a wooden spoon until dough is too stiff to stir.
- Dust hands with a little flour, then gently knead dough in the bowl just long enough to form a rough ball. If the dough is too sticky to work with, add in some more flour (but do not over knead).
- Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface and shape into a round loaf. Then transfer dough to a large, lightly greased cast-iron skillet or a baking sheet. Using a serrated knife, score top of dough about ½'' deep in an "X" shape.
- Transfer to oven and bake until bread is golden and bottom sounds hollow when tapped with a knife, about 35-40 minutes. Cool and serve at room temperature.
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19 Comments
veggietestkitchen
December 25, 2010 at 4:52 pmI love this bread. It’s so easy and almost (dare i say) failproof!!
Happy hol’s!
Chuck
March 14, 2009 at 3:00 amYum, I too love soft warm thick pretzels. Simple and delicious!
Sophie
March 13, 2009 at 3:00 amMMMMMM…your soda bread looks delicious!!!
Sara
March 12, 2009 at 3:00 amI’ve never made soda bread before, in fact, I’m not sure that I’ve ever even tasted it! Sure looks good though.
Matt
March 11, 2009 at 3:00 amI would kill someone for a guiness right now.
E.P.
March 11, 2009 at 3:00 amI’ve never made bread before, and I really want to give it a shot. Would this one be a simple first start on baking that?
I’m a huge fan of St. Patty’s Day even though I have NO Irish blood running in my veins. Though I DO have an Irish name…
Katie
March 11, 2009 at 3:00 amCool! I have an Irish last name too!
Jessica
March 11, 2009 at 3:00 amI am not a fan of Irish food, not a huge fan but this I would try. Corned beef is not my cup o’tea either. Looks lovely.
kat
March 11, 2009 at 3:00 amMatt made us some the other night too, I like the addition of the raisins.
claudia (cook eat FRET)
March 11, 2009 at 3:00 ami grew up on this stuff in nyc. my dad loved it and we could get it all year long. seems easy enough to make – tempting….
beyond
March 11, 2009 at 3:00 ami have never had soda bread before, this looks good.
in my part of manhattan there is a lot of public drinking on st. patrick’s day. and loud obnoxious brawling starting in the morning, or even days before. i am not a big fan of this and very glad i will still be abroad then.
maris -i have a problem with my email- hummingbird cake is: “A moist, fruity cake filled with bananas, pineapple and pecans (tastes like your favorite banana bread!). Iced with cream cheese frosting.” (from their website.) i usually don’t like banana in anything, as i find the taste very overpowering, but the balance of flavors in the hummingbird cake is divine.
Lorraine @NotQuiteNigella
March 11, 2009 at 3:00 amOoh I tried Irish Soda Bread for the first time a few months ago-very nice indeed. Yours looks fantastic Maris! 🙂
lisa (dandysugar)
March 11, 2009 at 3:00 amLooks like a very delicious soda bread!
I have an Irish last name too! =)
Elra
March 11, 2009 at 3:00 amWow, this is very nice soda bread. Delicious.
Cheers,
elra
Heidi Renée
March 11, 2009 at 3:00 amBleeeech, Guinness. The bread sounds tasty, though!
mandy
March 11, 2009 at 3:00 amI love St. Patty’s day. I am always on the lookout for new bread recipes.
Heather
March 11, 2009 at 3:00 amsome foods just remind me so much of my mom! she used to make this all the time, and it’s one of my favorites. yours looks delicious!
Susan
March 11, 2009 at 3:00 amThat looks great! I can’t wait for St. Paddy’s Day – I will definitely be having some Guinness.
VeggieGirl
March 11, 2009 at 3:00 amLovely bread!!