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This Irish soda bread recipe has been in Patty’s family for years. It’s a tad sweeter than your typical Irish soda bread, making it that much more delectable and flavorful. While Irish bread has a reputation for being dry and bland, this recipe is sweet and irresistible.
Table of Contents
Why this Recipe Works
This Irish soda bread has a sweet and crumbly exterior with a tender interior. While most Irish bread is traditionally on the dryer side, It’s more moist when it’s freshly baked and served right out of the oven. Serving warm with honey and butter alongside corned beef hash is a phenomenal and tasty pairing that’s perfect for breakfast or brunch.
Looking for more delicious Irish recipes? try my Irish coffee recipe and my skillet shepherd’s pie.
Ingredients
- Sugar
- Baking powder
- All-purpose flour
- Salt
- Butter
- Eggs
- Raisins
- Whole milk
- Rum or Irish whiskey
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities below.
How to Make Irish Soda Bread
Step 1.
Preheat oven to 375°F.
Step 2.
Soak raisins in a small bowl with a splash of rum or Irish whiskey, set aside.
Step 3.
Mix sugar, baking powder, flour, and salt in a large bowl. Slice butter and work into dry ingredients with a spoon (do not melt butter). Add strained raisins and mix well. The mixture should be crumbly.
Step 4.
Make a hole in the center of the mixture and add eggs and milk. Stir with a butter knife until the mixture forms a ball and leaves the sides of the bowl.
Step 5.
Toss onto a well-floured surface and with floured hands, knead lightly until a soft ball is formed.
Step 6.
Place in a greased 9-10 inch cast iron skillet. Make a cross on the top of the loaf and brush with milk or beaten egg for extra shininess.
Step 7
Sprinkle top with sugar and bake at 375°F for 10 minutes, then at 350°F for 25-30 minutes. It’s done when golden brown on the top and a toothpick comes out clean. Serve warm with butter and a cold Guinness.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, you can follow this recipe and make two smaller uniform circular loaves on a standard baking sheet. The recipe makes 1 larger loaf.
We like to search Irish bread warm with soft butter and a drizzle of honey. It’s delicious for breakfast too.
More Delicious Recipes
Enjoy this recipe? If you made this cocktail, please leave a ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ star rating in the recipe card below & a review in the comments!
Irish Soda Bread Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar
- 4 teaspoons baking powder
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 stick butter or shortening, room temp
- 2 eggs, slightly beaten
- 1 cup raisins
- 1 1/4 cups whole milk
- Rum or Irish whiskey for soaking raisins, optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Soak raisins in a small bowl with a splash of rum or Irish whiskey, set aside.
- Mix sugar, baking powder, flour, and salt in a large bowl. Slice butter and work into dry ingredients with a spoon (do not melt butter). Add strained raisins and mix well. The mixture should be crumbly.
- Make a hole in the center of the mixture and add eggs and milk. Stir with a butter knife until the mixture forms a ball and leaves the sides of the bowl.
- Toss onto a well-floured surface and with floured hands, knead lightly until a soft ball is formed.
- Place in a greased 9-10 inch cast iron skillet. Make a cross on the top of the loaf and brush with milk or beaten egg for extra shininess.
- Sprinkle top with sugar and bake at 375°F for 10 minutes, then at 350°F for 25-30 minutes. It's done when golden brown on the top and a toothpick comes out clean.
- Serve warm with butter and a cold Guinness.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
