Irish Soda Bread with Raisins
Experience the delightful taste of Irish Soda Bread with Raisins, a traditional quick bread with a tender crumb and a subtle sweetness from the raisins. Enjoy it warm with butter for a truly satisfying treat.
Servings: 16 Slices
Calories: 156kcal
Ingredients
- 1 cup raisins
- 1 cup cold water
- 4 cups + 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour divided, used scoop and level method
- 3 Tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 3 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 stick unsalted butter chilled
- 1 ⅔ buttermilk
- 1 large egg room temperature
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F. Lay two pieces of parchment paper criss-crossed in a 10 to 12” cast iron skillet or baking sheet and set aside.
- In a small bowl add the raisins and water and set aside, allowing the raisins to soak.
- In a large bowl add in 4 cups of flour, granulated sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Whisk lightly to mix together.
- Cut the stick of butter into small cubes.
- Using a gloved hand or pastry cutter press the butter cubes into the flour mixture. It does not have to be completely mixed in as the butter will melt when baked and create the most delicious flavor.
- In the same bowl as the flour, add in one egg and the buttermilk.
- Mix until combined with a wooden spoon until just combined. Do not overwork the dough. The dough will come together with only just a few mixes, you’ll know it’s done when all the flour is mixed in. Dough will be sticky.
- Drain the water from the raisins and discard. Mix the raisins into the dough being sure they are evenly distributed.
- Dump dough onto a floured surface, I like to use a vinyl pastry mat. Knead the dough until it becomes less sticky and shape it into an 8” round.
- Carefully lift the dough round and place on top of the parchment paper in your cast-iron skillet.
- Cut about a 1” depth X in the top of the dough.
- Bake in your oven for about 45-50 minutes in a preheated oven. Irish soda bread will be done when the top looks golden brown, crispy on the sides and set in the middle. Insert a toothpick into the center of the bread, if it comes out clean, the bread is done. If not, put back in for 5 minute increments until set.
- When done, use the sides of the parchment paper to lift the bread out of the skillet to cool for about 20 minutes.
- Slice and serve with your favorite topping such as butter, jelly or honey or just as it is.
Notes
- After adding the eggs, use a wooden spoon, not a whisk as we don’t want too much air added to the eggs.
- You can choose to skip the raisins, if you prefer. If you do this, also skip the cup of water.
- Don’t skip soaking the raisins, it helps to plump them up and makes them juicy when cooked in the bread.
Nutrition
Calories: 156kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Trans Fat: 0.003g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 302mg | Potassium: 114mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 17IU | Vitamin C: 0.5mg | Calcium: 54mg | Iron: 2mg
