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Soft Irish Bread

Featured in Homemade Bread Recipes.

A simple Irish bread made with flour, buttermilk, currants, and baking soda. Quick to make, soft and tasty with a golden crust.

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Updated on Sat, 19 Apr 2025 00:32:37 GMT
A loaf of soft bread with raisins sliced on a wooden board. A butter knife and milk cup are in the backdrop. Pin it
A loaf of soft bread with raisins sliced on a wooden board. A butter knife and milk cup are in the backdrop. | cuisinegenial.com

I get so much pleasure from whipping up Irish Soda Bread - it's incredibly easy but gives such great results. You won't need to wait around for hours like with yeast breads - this gorgeous creation just needs flour, baking soda, buttermilk and a handful of extras. My take includes egg, butter, sugar and juicy raisins to make it even more delightful. And guess what? You'll have a hot, aromatic loaf on your table in less than an hour.

What's the Deal With That Center Cut?

When I started making soda bread, I figured the cross cut on top was just decorative, but there's real smarts behind it. This deep slash lets heat travel straight to the middle for even baking throughout. It also gives your dough enough space to expand into that beautiful dome shape everyone wants.

Must-Have Components

  • Salt: Just a bit to enhance the overall taste profile.
  • Buttermilk: This creates that soft texture and slight tanginess we all enjoy.
  • Egg: Adds structure and makes everything richer.
  • Raisins or Currants: These sweet little gems add bursts of flavor but feel free to skip them.
  • Flour: Standard all purpose flour does the job perfectly fine.
  • Baking Soda: Works together with buttermilk to make the bread rise naturally.
  • Butter: Adds wonderful richness and flavor.
  • Sugar: A small amount for gentle sweetness.

Easy-to-Follow Method

Shape and Score
Put your dough on a floured surface, form it into a round loaf, then cut a deep cross right over the top.
Bake
Stick it in the oven for around 35 to 45 minutes until golden brown and it sounds empty when tapped underneath. Cool slightly before cutting.
Preheat and Prepare
Get your oven warming up to 375°F. I prefer my cast iron pan but a simple baking sheet works too - just give it a bit of grease.
Mix Dry Ingredients
Combine your flour, baking soda, salt and sugar with a whisk, then work your cold butter in until everything looks like coarse crumbs.
Add Wet Ingredients
Stir in your buttermilk and egg just enough to bring the dough together, then gently mix in those sweet raisins if you're adding them.

Secrets for Amazing Soda Bread

  • Serve Fresh: This bread tastes best right out of the oven with a thick spread of butter.
  • Don't Overmix: Gentle mixing leads to a softer, more delightful texture.
  • Use Cold Butter: It creates wonderful little pockets of flakiness throughout your bread.
  • Check Doneness: That empty sound from tapping the bottom always tells you when it's ready.
A golden-crusted bread loaf filled with raisins rests on a dark wooden board, showing its soft inside and crispy exterior. Pin it
A golden-crusted bread loaf filled with raisins rests on a dark wooden board, showing its soft inside and crispy exterior. | cuisinegenial.com

Keeping Your Bread Fresh

Store your soda bread tightly wrapped at room temp and try to finish it within two days. Want to save it longer? Let it cool completely, wrap it up good, and stick it in the freezer for up to two months. When you're hungry for it, just thaw it out and warm it up in the oven before eating.

The Story Behind Soda Bread

I find it fascinating how this bread began as a basic four-ingredient solution during tough times in Ireland. We might fancy it up now with extra ingredients, but the core remains unchanged - quick, straightforward and totally yummy. It's a comfort food that links us to countless bakers from the past.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why cut the top open?

Allows heat to flow through and gives it that iconic look.

→ How does it rise?

The baking soda reacts with the buttermilk to create lift—no yeast needed.

→ Can I use something else for buttermilk?

If you don’t have it, mix some milk with lemon juice as a substitute.

→ What’s with the rough dough?

Too much kneading makes it tough. Handle lightly for a soft loaf.

→ Why is cast iron suggested?

It gives a crisp crust, but a regular baking tray works too.

Irish Soda Bread

Classic Irish loaf with a soft inside, golden crust, and a touch of currants. Comes together fast with no yeast required.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
40 Minutes
Total Time
55 Minutes
By: Ferdaous

Category: Breads

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Irish

Yield: 12 Servings (1)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

01 4 to 4 1/2 cups plain all-purpose flour.
02 1 teaspoon baking soda.
03 1 tablespoon granulated sugar.
04 1 teaspoon regular table salt.
05 1 cup raisins or currants, your choice.
06 4 tablespoons butter, softened and ready to use.
07 1 3/4 cups buttermilk, well shaken.
08 1 large egg, whisked.

Instructions

Step 01

Turn the oven on to 425°F and make sure the rack is set in the middle for even cooking.

Step 02

In a large bowl, stir the flour, baking soda, sugar, and salt together until blended.

Step 03

Rub the butter into the dry mix with your fingertips until it looks like crumbly bits.

Step 04

Toss the raisins or currants into the mixture, making sure they're spread out evenly.

Step 05

Make a big open space in the middle of the dry ingredients for adding liquids.

Step 06

Pour the buttermilk and whisked egg into the space and mix gently with a wooden spoon until it starts getting tough to stir.

Step 07

With floured hands, bring the dough together into a rough round shape without kneading too much.

Step 08

Sprinkle in more flour gradually if the dough is too sticky to handle, but don't overdo it.

Step 09

Move the dough onto a floured countertop and form it into a nice round loaf without overhandling.

Step 10

Put the dough on a baking sheet or into a greased cast iron skillet.

Step 11

Cut a deep X across the top using a serrated knife. This helps it bake through evenly.

Step 12

Bake it in the oven for 35 to 45 minutes until it's golden and sounds hollow when tapped.

Step 13

If the top looks like it's browning too much, cover it with foil partway through baking.

Step 14

Push a skewer into the middle of the loaf. If it comes out spotless, it's done.

Step 15

Let it sit in the pan for about 5 to 10 minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool down entirely before slicing.

Notes

  1. No need for yeast.
  2. Super quick to prep.
  3. Classic, old-school style.
  4. Tastes best when eaten fresh.

Tools You'll Need

  • A baking sheet or cast iron skillet.
  • One large mixing bowl.
  • A serrated knife for cutting.
  • Wooden spoon for stirring.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy from butter and buttermilk.
  • Includes eggs.
  • Made with wheat flour.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 263
  • Total Fat: 5 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 47 g
  • Protein: 7 g