Irish Soda Bread is a delightfully simple bread, requiring no proofing or kneading, and the dough effortlessly comes together in just 5 minutes. The resulting bread boasts a soft, tender crumb with a biscuit-like texture.

For enthusiasts of easy bread recipes, this Irish Soda Bread is a must-try!

You’ll Love this Soda Bread!

My affection for Soda Bread blossomed upon my first taste. Its lightly sweet crumb brought to mind our Paska Easter Bread and Hot Cross Buns. What amazed me was how effortlessly one could create a traditional Soda Bread.

What is Irish Soda Bread?

Irish-American Soda Bread, a St. Patrick’s Day tradition, is a quick bread that employs Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate) as the leavening agent, eliminating the need for proofing or rising time. Once the dough is ready, you score the top and bake promptly.

Ingredients

Raisins, though optional, add a festive touch. Buttermilk can be substituted with kefir for those without it. The ingredients include:

• Flour – all-purpose flour works best
• Sugar – 1/4 cup makes it a lightly sweet bread
• Salt – every good bread needs a fair amount
• Baking soda – leavening which makes the bread rise
• Butter – gives the bread a scone-like texture (use cold, unsalted)
• Buttermilk – activates the soda (use cold, low-fat)
• Egg – for a finer, richer crumb
• Raisins – optional and can be substituted for dried cranberries

Tips for the Best Soda Bread

To achieve the best results, keep these tips in mind:

• Do not over-mix – as with scones, the dough really just has to come together before baking.
• Sticky dough – the dough will feel sticky. Dust your work surface and hands with just enough flour to handle the dough.
• Cold ingredients – there’s no reason to bring ingredients to room temperature. Keep buttermilk, egg, and butter chilled.
• Generously grease the pan – buttering your cast-iron skillet before baking allows the bread to rise without sticking to the pan.
• Cool on a rack – Once out of the oven, transfer the soda bread to a rack to cool so it doesn’t steam and soften on the bottom.

How to Make Soda Bread

Prepare to be amazed at how swiftly and easily you can craft a loaf of this Irish-American Soda Bread: