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Irish Soda Bread with Raisins

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This easy homemade Irish soda bread with raisins is a quick, no-yeast breakfast bread with a golden crust, tender crumb, and bursts of juicy raisins. Perfect for cozy mornings, brunch, or sharing at family gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (440g), or half whole wheat flour
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar (50g)
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda (5g)
  • 1 teaspoon salt (5g)
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold and cubed (56g)
  • 1 1/2 cups buttermilk (360ml), or milk + 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 large egg, beaten (optional but recommended)
  • 1 cup raisins (140g), golden or regular, soaked in warm water for 10 minutes
  • 1 teaspoon caraway seeds (optional, 2g)
  • Zest from 1 orange (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
  2. Pour raisins into a small bowl, cover with warm water, and soak for 10 minutes. Drain and pat dry.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt.
  4. Add cold, cubed butter to the dry ingredients. Use a pastry cutter, two forks, or your fingers to blend until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  5. In a separate bowl, beat the egg with buttermilk. Stir in orange zest or caraway seeds if using.
  6. Pour the buttermilk mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir gently with a wooden spoon or spatula just until combined. Do not overmix.
  7. Fold in the drained raisins. The dough should be slightly sticky and hold together. Adjust with more buttermilk or flour if needed.
  8. Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and gently shape into a round loaf about 2 inches thick. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet or skillet.
  9. Use a sharp knife to cut a deep ‘X’ across the top of the loaf.
  10. Bake for 35-45 minutes, until golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped. If browning too quickly, cover loosely with foil for the last 10 minutes.
  11. Remove from oven and cool on a wire rack for at least 20 minutes before slicing.

Notes

For a richer loaf, add chopped walnuts. Use whole wheat flour for extra fiber. If dough is too sticky, dust hands with flour; if too dry, add more buttermilk. Soak raisins for juicier fruit. Score the loaf deeply for best rise. Bread freezes well—slice and wrap tightly. For a gluten-free version, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.

Nutrition

Keywords: Irish soda bread, breakfast bread, raisins, easy bread, quick bread, St. Patrick's Day, homemade, no yeast, brunch, family recipe

Find it online: https://bitefuljoy.com/irish-soda-bread-with-raisins-easy-homemade-recipe-for-breakfast/