Easy Irish Soda Bread

Name: Easy Irish Soda Bread
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 60 min
Ingredients: 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, plus more for pan; 4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for kneading; 0.75 cup sugar; 0.75 cup raisins; 2 tablespoons caraway seeds; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1 teaspoon salt; 0.5 teaspoon baking powder; 1.5 cups buttermilk; 2 large eggs

3.3

(29)

7 Reviews

By

Martha Stewart Test Kitchen

Updated on March 11, 2021

Prep Time:

15 mins

Total Time:

1 hr

Servings:

16

When this classic Irish Soda Bread is easy to make, you'll bake it all year round! The bread will keep, wrapped in plastic, for up to two weeks at room temperature.

Ingredients

3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, plus more for pan
4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for kneading
¾ cup sugar
¾ cup raisins
2 tablespoons caraway seeds
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon baking powder
1 ½ cups buttermilk
2 large eggs

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a baking sheet. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, raisins, caraway seeds, baking soda, salt, and baking powder. In a separate bowl, whisk buttermilk, eggs, and 2 tablespoons butter. Stir the wet mixture into the dry ingredients to form a dough.
Knead dough on a lightly floured surface until smooth, about 4 minutes; add more flour as needed to prevent sticking. Form dough into a 9-inch round; place on prepared baking sheet. Brush loaf with remaining tablespoon butter. Using a sharp knife, score an X on top of loaf.
Bake until skewer inserted in center comes out clean, 45 to 50 minutes. Cool on wire rack before serving.

Cook's Notes

Soda bread doesn't require loaf pans: Shape the dough with your hands, then bake on a cookie sheet.

Originally appeared: Everyday Food, March/April 2003