Nana’s Irish Soda Bread Recipe

Round loaf of soda bread dotted with raisins, baked in a cast iron pie dish.

This easy Irish soda bread recipe has a tender crumb, golden crust, and sweet raisins. A traditional no-yeast quick bread; perfect for St. Patrick’s Day.

Course Breakfast, Dessert, Snack

Cuisine European, Irish

Diet Kosher, Vegetarian

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 1

Total Time 1 15

Servings servings

Calories 277kcal

Author Renee

Equipment

1 9-inch cast iron pie pan or standard loaf pan

Ingredients

4 cups all-purpose flour
½ cup white sugar or ⅓ cup if you like your soda bread less sweet
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon Kosher salt
1½ cups raisins
2 teaspoons caraway seeds optional
1¼ cups buttermilk
½ cup sour cream
½ cup melted butter melted
2 large eggs lightly beaten

Brush on Top

2 tablespoons butter melted
2 tablespoons buttermilk

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Preheat oven to 340°F (171°C). Lightly grease a 9-inch pie dish or loaf pan.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, raisins, and caraway seeds.
In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, buttermilk, sour cream, and melted butter.
Add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix gently with a spatula until just combined.
Knead the dough lightly against the side of the bowl 10–15 strokes. The dough should remain sticky.
Transfer dough to prepared pan and mound slightly.
Mix 2 tablespoon melted butter with 2 tablespoon buttermilk and brush over the dough.
Cut a deep X into the top of the loaf.
Let dough rest 10 minutes (optional but recommended).
Bake 60–70 minutes, brushing with butter mixture once or twice during baking.
Bread is done when a toothpick comes out clean or internal temp reaches 195–200°F.
Cool 10 minutes in pan, then transfer to rack.

Notes

Tips for Best Results

Do not use a mixer; mix gently by hand.
Avoid overmixing or the bread may become dense.
Dough should look shaggy and sticky.
Score the top deeply to help the loaf expand.
For extra flavor, use golden raisins and dried cranberries.

Nutrition