How to Make Fresh Baked Irish Soda Bread - Appetizers
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Dense yet soft on the inside, and thick and crusty on the outside, the Irish soda bread (how long does bread last?) is a perfect accompaniment to savory stews and soups. Especially, the soda bread and leek and potato soup combo is a match made in culinary heaven, and is prepared in households all across Europe and America for St. Patrick’s Day.
This bread, as the name suggests, is made with baking soda (how long does baking soda last?) and not yeast, and does not require fermentation. It is so irresistibly delicious, that traditionally, and even today, Irish people mark crosses on the bread to keep fairies out. What gives this Irish bread its famously soft-fluffy texture and mild tangy flavor is top-quality butter and buttermilk.
Why You Can’t Substitute Milk for Buttermilk
The reason why Irish soda bread fluffs up so well, even without yeast is the addition of buttermilk. Buttermilk being acidic reacts with baking soda and forms bubbles of carbon dioxide, which helps the bread to rise. Hence for this recipe, you cannot substitute buttermilk with milk or cream. However, if you do not have buttermilk at hand, you can use yogurt - in equal quantities as flour (how long does flour last?)– and it will give you the same results.
Making Irish Soda Bread
Preheat oven to 400°F (210°C) and grease a cast iron pan or skillet with butter.
In a large glass bowl, mix together all-purpose flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt. Using a wooden spatula mash in cubed butter into the dry ingredients. Add raisins (how long do raisins last?) and mix well.
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In another mixing bowl, whisk together egg and buttermilk.
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Pour in egg and buttermilk mix gradually and fold it in gently with the dry ingredients. Stir with a wooden spatula till the dough firms up.
Once the dough begins to hold its shape, lightly knead it into a rough ball (do not over-knead the dough). Transfer it into the greased cast iron pan. Using a spoon handle or knife, mark crisscrosses on top of the dough
Bake at 400°F for 45 minutes till the bread browns and puffs up from the center.
Allow the bread to cool for at least 20 minutes. Smear a dollop of butter on top and serve warm or at room temperature.
Freshly Baked Irish Soda Bread
Ingredients
- 4 ½ cups all-purpose flour, 4 cups for dough + ½ cup for dusting
- 5 tbsp unsalted butter, cubed
- 420 ml (1 ¾ cup) buttermilk
- 3 tbsp. granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 cup raisins
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (210°C) and grease a cast iron skillet or pan with butter
- In a large glass bowl, mix together all-purpose flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt.
- Using a wooden spatula mash in cubed butter into the dry ingredients.
- Add raisins and mix well
- In another mixing bowl, whisk together egg and buttermilk.
- Pour it into the dry mix and fold it in till the dough begin to stiffen.
- Transfer the dough onto a floured flat surface and knead the dough for about a minute.
- Transfer the dough into the greased pan.
- Using a sharp knife make an X incision on top.
- Bake at 400°F for 45 minutes till the bread browns and puffs up from the center.
- Once baked, allow the bread to cool for 10 minutes on a wired rack.
- Cut and serve warm.
Nutrition Facts
Calories
2942Fat
82 gSat. Fat
11 gCarbs
636 gFiber
25 gNet carbs
575Sugar
58 gProtein
82 gSodium
4161 mgCholesterol
211 gNutritional Information for 1 loaf of Irish Soda Bread
If you're not a fan of washing multiple pots and pans every night, try making your favorite recipes using just one baking sheet. Learn how to make it work for you, here.
