Irish Soda Bread

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

Cook Time 45

Total Time 1

Servings slices

Calories 157kcal

Author Meggan Hill

Ingredients

4 cup all-purpose flour plus extra as needed
4 tablespoons granulated sugar (see note 1)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
4 tablespoons butter cold and cut into 1/2" cubes
1 3/4 cups buttermilk cold (see note 2)
1 large egg lightly beaten
1 cup dried currants (see note 3)
1 teaspoon grated orange zest

US Customary - Metric

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

Sugar: For a less-sweet Irish soda bread, reduce sugar to 2 or 3 tablespoons.
Buttermilk: You can make your own buttermilk with milk and lemon juice or vinegar.
Currants and orange zest: Or try caraway seeds, rye seeds, raisins, lemon zest, fresh herbs, grated cheese, or even scallions.
Soda bread: It's called "soda bread" because the recipe uses baking soda instead of yeast for leavening.
Brown bread: Substitute whole-wheat flour for part or all of the all-purpose flour.
Savory bread: Omit the sugar and add 1 teaspoon caraway seeds.

Nutrition