Did you know that Irish Soda Bread is made without yeast? Irish Soda Bread rises because of baking soda, thus the name.
St. Patrick’s Day is coming up soon and all of us will embrace any Irish ancestry we can find in our lineage, even if we have to go back many generations to find it. My husband and I both have Irish ancestors. He comes from a noble line; my ancestors are Black Irish.
For us, St. Patrick’s Day is a day to pass on a little of our heritage as well as celebrate the life of St. Patrick. We read books about St. Patrick and read St. Patrick’s prayer at dinner. You can find a Free Printable St. Patrick’s Prayer here.
For dinner, we serve Corned Beef and Cabbage which is not a traditional Irish recipe, but it is a recipe that our Irish ancestors created and enjoyed after arriving in America.
This Irish Soda Bread recipe makes a lovely addition to Corned Beef and Cabbage, but it is so easy to make that it is a great bread recipe for whenever you want to quickly make bread without yeast.
Irish Soda Bread Recipe
Ingredients:
- 4 cups flour
- 4 Tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 4 Tbsp butter, cold
- 1 cup raisins
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 1¾ cups buttermilk
Directions:
-
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- Line a sheet pan with parchment paper – alternatively, you can use a cast iron pan.
- Mix the flour, sugar, salt, and baking soda in a large bowl.
- With two knives or a paddle attachment on a stand mixer, cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the butter is mixed in well then mix in raisins.
- Create a well in the mixture and pour in your egg and buttermilk. Stir the dry ingredients into the liquid slowly with a wooden spoon until it is solid enough to kneed.
- Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and kneed together to form a ball, careful not to over-kneed the dough. The dough should remain somewhat shaggy looking. If you are using a sheet pan the more circular the better as the bread will spread out a bit while baking.
- Transfer the dough to your sheet pan and use a large knife to cut an X into the dough about 1 inch deep.
- Bake in the oven for 45-55 minutes, or until a cake tester comes out clean. If you are using a cast iron pan it will most likely take 55 minutes as it takes longer to heat up than a baking sheet. The bread should sound hollow when tapped.
- Remove to a cooling rack for 5 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Printable Recipe for Irish Soda Bread
Irish Soda Bread Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 cups flour
- 4 Tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 4 Tbsp butter cold
- 1 cup raisins
- 1 large egg lightly beaten
- 1¾ cups buttermilk
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- Line a sheet pan with parchment paper - alternatively, you can use a cast iron pan.
- Mix the flour, sugar, salt, and baking soda in a large bowl.
- With two knives or a paddle attachment on a stand mixer, cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the butter is mixed in well then mix in raisins.
- Create a well in the mixture and pour in your egg and buttermilk. Stir the dry ingredients into the liquid slowly with a wooden spoon until it is solid enough to kneed.
- Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and kneed together to form a ball, careful not to over-kneed the dough. The dough should remain somewhat shaggy looking. If you are using a sheet pan the more circular the better as the bread will spread out a bit while baking.
- Transfer the dough to your sheet pan and use a large knife to cut an X into the dough about 1 inch deep.
- Bake in the oven for 45-55 minutes, or until a cake tester comes out clean. If you are using a cast iron pan it will most likely take 55 minutes as it takes longer to heat up than a baking sheet. The bread should sound hollow when tapped.
- Remove to a cooling rack for 5 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.
More St. Patrick’s Day Ideas
Free Printable St. Patrick’s Prayer
How to Make Corned Beef and Cabbage in an Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker
Thanks to Elizabeth of Frugal Mom Eh! for sharing her recipe with me. This was originally published on February 21, 2016, and updated on March 14, 2021.
Laurie says
I have never tried making Irish soda bread. I’ve tried it when I’m Ireland, and maybe I’ll try your recipe just for fun! My bd is on St Patricks day, so this will be a fun recipe.
Thanks for sharing this at the Homestead Blog Hop!
Laurie
Ridge Haven Homestead
Katie says
This recipe looks yummy, going to try it for St. Pat’s Day! Congrats on your feature at Happiness Is Homemade Link Party #416!
getfitchick says
The bread looks delish! We have a “smidgen” of Irish in us – and my mother always said it was Black Irish – most of my family has dark hair, I’m the oddball! 🙂
Marie says
This sounds delicious! I’ve never had soda bread before but it looks incredible. Thanks for sharing at Merry Monday this week!
Kathleen says
I was always told Black Irish refers to those with dark hair and features other than fair and freckled.:) Your bread looks delicious! St. Patrick’s Day blessings to you!
Kathleen
Alea Milham says
My red-haired Grandma called herself Black Irish because she was a descendent of Spanish and French people who immigrated to Ireland. I don’t think the term is used in Ireland, but I think there was a pecking order among the Irish who immigrated to America and the term was used to distinguish some who may have been considered lesser by fellow countrymen.
Kathryn @ Family Food on the Table says
This bread looks fantastic! I don’t have much Irish in me, but my husband does, so I’m always looking for some yummy recipes to try out for St. Pat’s Day. Know the whole family will love this bread!
Susy says
Could you please share St. Patrick’s prayer that you referred to above?
The soda bread us lovely!
Alea Milham says
Here is a link to it: http://www.ourcatholicprayers.com/st-patricks-breastplate.html