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Irish soda bread sliced on a baking rack.
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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.
Course Bread
Cuisine Irish
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 12 slices
Calories 263kcal

Ingredients

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.

Notes

  1. Sugar: For a less-sweet Irish soda bread, reduce sugar to 2 or 3 tablespoons.
  2. Buttermilk: You can make your own buttermilk with milk and lemon juice or vinegar.
  3. Currants: Currants are traditional but hard to find, so I bought these currants on Amazon and they were great. 
  4. Yield: This recipe makes one loaf of bread, enough for 12 slices (more or less depending on how you cut them).
  5. 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

Serving: 1 slice | Calories: 263kcal | Carbohydrates: 47g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 29mg | Sodium: 461mg | Potassium: 192mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 206IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 61mg | Iron: 2mg