Homemade Irish Soda Bread

Total Time

Prep: 20 min. Bake: 1 hour

Makes

1 loaf

Updated: Jun. 14, 2023
Some people consider bread to be the most important part of a meal...and this Irish bread satisfies such folks! This recipe is by far the best soda bread I've ever tried. With the addition of raisins, it is moist and delicious! —Evelyn Kenney, Trenton, New Jersey
Homemade Irish Soda Bread Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Ingredients

  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 cup cold butter, cubed
  • 1-1/3 cups buttermilk
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 cups raisins
  • 3 to 4 tablespoons caraway seeds
  • 2 tablespoons 2% milk

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt, baking powder and baking soda. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. In a separate bowl, whisk buttermilk and egg; stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Stir in raisins and caraway seeds.
  2. Turn out onto a floured surface. Knead gently 8-10 times. Shape into a ball and place on a greased baking pan. Pat into a 7-in. round loaf. Cut a 4-in. cross about 1/4 in. deep on top to allow for expansion. Brush top with milk.
  3. Bake until golden brown, about 1 hour. Remove from pan to wire rack.

Nutrition Facts

1 piece: 223 calories, 4g fat (2g saturated fat), 20mg cholesterol, 326mg sodium, 43g carbohydrate (15g sugars, 2g fiber), 5g protein.