It’s that time of year- THE IDES OF MARCH! You know what that means? Irish soda bread! Irish soda bread is a staple to any St. Paddy’s Day dinner. This recipe is my own that I have finally mastered over the past couple of years. I like to even do some of it with chocolate chips instead of raisins and some powdered sugar on top!
THE BEST Irish Soda Bread
Irish Soda bread is one of the best breads out there for multiple reasons. There is no need for yeast in this sweet and dense bread. It is delicious as a standard recipe with the raisins, but if you have someone who doesn't like raisins then leave them out or sub them out with chocolate chips!
Equipment
- GREASED cake pan (dutch oven or seasoned cast iron skillet can be used as well)
Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cup buttermilk
- 2 lg eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 4 ¼ cup flour
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup butter cubed
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 380 F. Start off by cleaning a large part of your counter so you can knead your dough directly on it.
- In a small bowl, combine the buttermilk, eggs and vanilla together. Set aside.
- Take 1 cup of your flour and mix in a bowl with your raisins or chocolate chips. Set aside.
- Flour the work surface and place a little bit of extra flour in a bowl in case it is needed.
- In a large bowl add your remaining flour (3 1/4 cups), baking soda, salt and sugar. Mix until well combined.
- With a pastry cutter or using your fingers, mix in your cubed butter until well combined.
- Gradually pour your wet ingredients into your flour mixture. Mix in until completely combined then transfer to floured work surface.
- Pile your floured raisins or chocolate chips on top and knead into the dough. Knead the dough until it is not sticky enough to stick to surface. Knead in more flour gradually as needed.
- Transfer dough to GREASED cake pan. Score the dough into an x with a knife, going about a third of the way in.
- Bake the bread for 55-70 minutes or until the bread reaches an internal temp of 190 F. Once done, transfer immediately to a wired rack for cooling so it doesn't continue to cook. Once cool, dust it with powdered sugar (optional).
- Serve this by slicing it like a pie or cake. I recommend some butter on top! Enjoy your delicious soda bread.