Irish Soda Bread

Confession #1: I am not Irish.

Confession #2: This is the first Irish Soda Bread recipe that I have made, or even tasted.

Confession #3: I am listening to "Sherry" by Frankie Valli as I type this. (I also may or may not have taught my children to sing "Big Girls Don't Cry.")

Okay, so that third confession was completely random, but the first two do have a point.

That point is, I may not be an expert on Irish Soda Bread. I don't know if this is the most authentic recipe, or even if this is the most delicious version out there, but I do know three things.

#1: It was pretty stinking good!

#2: It was easy!

#3: Nathan is hilarious when he sings "Cry-yi-yi" (see Confession #3 above if you have no idea what I am talking about).

What does this mean (besides the fact that my son will most likely grow up to be embarrassed to be seen in the same room as me)? Well, it means the recipe is blog-worthy! I hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

Click here for the entire St. Patrick's Day menu and shopping list.

I adapted this recipe from one found on allrecipes.com.


printable recipe

Irish Soda Bread

4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup white sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup buttermilk
1 egg
1/3 cup raisins
1/4 cup butter, melted
1/4 cup buttermilk

Preheat oven to 375F. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and 1/2 cup butter. I used my stand mixer on low speed for this. Stir in the egg, 1 cup buttermilk, and the raisins. Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface, knead lightly, and form into a round loaf-shape.

Place dough onto a greased baking sheet. Combine the melted butter and remaining buttermilk and brush onto the dough.

With a sharp knife, cut an X into the dough.

Bake for 45-50 minutes, brushing occasionally with butter mixture, until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean. Let cool then cut into wedges and serve.