The Best Irish Soda Bread Ever

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You’re here because you ran a search for “the best Irish soda bread ever,” and the search engine overlords sent you to me. My friend, you will not be disappointed. I promise this is the best Irish soda bread. Ever. Period.

Growing up, I was not familiar with Irish soda bread. It was something I had heard about, but it just didn’t sound all that appetizing. I just imagined the flavor was baking soda. The end. Now, I pity the little girl who grew up with that horrible misconception.

Making Enough Irish Soda Bread

My mother-in-law is the one who introduced me to this treat that we can’t find outside of Northern Indiana. So, I went searching for a decent recipe for Irish Soda Bread. It all started with a recipe from the wonderful blogger over at Blessed Beyond a Doubt.

Naturally, I tweaked it a little bit. In general, I just don’t like caraway seeds in my bread. But, I also added a sprinkle of sparkle sugar on top because that’s what the bakeries do.

It turned out great. And the recipe makes two loaves, which is basically what we need to get through a St. Patrick’s Day week just the two of us. You think I’m kidding, but I’m not.

Breakfast? Eggs and a side of soda bread. Lunch? Meal prepped, but also… soda bread. Dinner? Leftover corned beef in shepherd’s pie with, you guessed it, soda bread. Dessert? Shut up and toast me a slice of soda bread with some butter!

It’s Nearly Fool-Proof, But…

Okay, before I unpack this story of “mom brain” fueled antics, let me preface this by saying: this recipe is pretty stinking easy. It’s hard to mess it up. However, I’m not going to judge you if you message me that you did something wrong. Here’s why.

One year, I was freaking exhausted. Our kid had had back-to-back ear infections, colds, and whatever else since she had started daycare in December. And in March, we were beginning the early stages of teething. Needless to say, it was a rough patch.

So, in my sniffly/stuffy/sleepy stupor, I prepared a batch of soda bread dough using my trusty recipe. Heck, I even responded to two different family members that they should use this recipe because it was, and I quote, “stupid proof.”

Yet, for some ungodly reason, this behemoth Irish Soda Bread exploded out of my 9-inch cake pan and took a full hour and a half to cook. And the resulting loaf was dry and nasty.

It’s Not Mom-Brain Proof

What did I do wrong? Oh, I just skipped right past the part where this makes TWO loaves of bread. You hear that, Mommies? Yeah, I’m calling you out, but it’s with love. THIS RECIPE IS FOR TWO LOAVES OF IRISH SODA BREAD.

I feel justified making this note big and bold because not only did I mess that up. My sister-in-law whom I directed to use this recipe also tried to make the whole recipe in one pan. She messaged me that hers was taking over an hour to bake, and was I sure this recipe worked?

She’s got three kids. Trust me. It’s a Mom Brain thing. All I have to say is: don’t worry. The next recipe I’m sharing is Irish Soda Bread Pudding, which requires you to have dry soda bread. It’ll be fine, Momma.

And in the meantime, pour yourself a Guinness, and settle in for hour 12 of a Curious George marathon.

What Else Do You Need to Know?

The following recipe uses milk mixed with vinegar to make buttermilk. However, if you have buttermilk, or you were prepared and bought some at the store, go ahead and use 1 1/2 cups of that. For those of us who repeatedly let buttermilk go bad trying to figure out what to use it for after a specific recipe, there’s this.

Take a glass measuring cup and measure out 1 1/2 cups of milk. Whatever you have on hand is fine. I’ve even done this with almond milk. Then, stir in 1 Tbsp of apple cider vinegar. Let it sit for 5 minutes. That’s that done!

As far as raisins go, I’ve been asked if you can leave them out. Technically, you can, and technically, you are entitled to not like raisins. But you have to sub in something else like dried currants or apricots. I do not condone making this with no dried fruit because then what is even the point?!

It really is that easy, and it truly is the best Irish soda bread ever. I told my husband I had to make some early this year to get pictures, and his only response was, “Okay, but are you going to make more for St. Patrick’s Day, too?” Of course, Baby.

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Last Updated: March 17, 2021

Irish Soda Bread

This is the best Irish soda bread ever. It's moist, tender, studded with raisins, and crowned with sparkly sugar. Perfect for St. Patrick's Day!

4 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Course Side Dish

Cuisine Irish

Servings 2 loaves

Ingredients

  

• 4 cups flour plus more for dusting
• ¼ cup sugar
• 1 Tbsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• ⅓ cup unsalted butter room temperature
• 2 cups raisins
• 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1½ cups milk
• 1 large egg
• 2 Tbsp turbinado sugar optional

Instructions

 

• Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• In a glass measuring cup, combine vinegar and milk and set aside for at least 5 minutes.
• In your stand mixer bowl, combine all the dry ingredients including the sugar. Then cut in the butter. Rub it in with your fingers until the mixture looks grainy.
• Beat the egg into the milk mixture.
• Attach your dough hook to your mixer. While the mixer runs at the lowest speed, slowly drizzle in the liquid. Do this quickly after beating in the egg.
• Once combined, switch to a dough hook and run on low-medium speed for 5 minutes.
• Turn the dough out onto a floured counter, and divide into 2. Roll each into a ball with a tight skin.
• Coat 2 round cake pans in oil, and place the dough in the center, lightly pressing it down but not all the way to the edges.
• Using a sharp knife, cut an X across the tops.
• Dust with turbinado sugar if you want.
• Bake for 30 to 40 minutes if using a dark non-stick. It will take longer if you use lighter-colored metal or glass pie plates.
• Cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then remove to a cooling rack to continue cooking to room temperature.
• Serve alongside your favorite Saint Patrick’s Day meals!

Keyword Bread, Irish Soda Bread

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