Irish Soda Bread Recipe

Recipe By:
R.T. Eby
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Irish Soda Bread Recipe
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  • Total Time 70 min Ico-add
  • Yield 1 Loaf
  • Level Medium

While a wide variety of baked goods from the Emerald Isle are legendary, soda bread remains a perennial favorite.
 

Ingredients

  • 4 cups all-purpose flour, plus 1 tablespoon for currants
  • 4 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch dice
  • 1 3/4 cups cold buttermilk, shaken
  • 1 extra-large egg, lightly beaten
  • 1 teaspoon grated orange zest
  • 1 cup dried currants
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Directions

  1. 1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
  2. 2. Combine the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Add the butter and mix on low speed until the butter is mixed into the flour.
  3. 3. With a fork, lightly beat the buttermilk, egg, and orange zest together in a measuring cup. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the buttermilk mixture to the flour mixture. Combine the currants with 1 tablespoon of flour and mix into the dough. It will be very wet.
  4. 4. Dump the dough onto a well-floured board and knead it a few times into a round loaf. Place the loaf on the prepared sheet pan and lightly cut an X into the top of the bread with a serrated knife. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until a cake tester comes out clean. When you tap the loaf, it will have a hollow sound.
  5. 5. Cool on a baking rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.
 
 
  • Did you know?

    In the mid 1800's Irish baking was done in the home. In addition to having limited supplies, time was often at a premium. Baking soda as a leavening agent was quick, effective and it produced a much more consistent result than yeast.