Marilyn O'Reilly's Irish Soda Bread

Recipe courtesy of Marilyn O'Reilly

Rated: 5 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (41)

RECIPE
COMMENTS & REVIEWS(41)

Cook Time:
--
Level:
Easy
Yield:
One large loaf

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Ingredients

3 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons unsalted butter (1/4 cup)
2 tablespoons caraway seeds, optional
1 cup raisins
1 cup buttermilk
1 egg

Directions

Set a rack in the middle level of the oven and preheat to 400 degrees.

In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, soda and salt and stir well to mix.

Add the butter and rub in until the butter disappears into the dry ingredients.

Stir in the caraway seeds if used and the raisins.

In a small bowl, whisk the buttermilk and egg together and mix into the dough mixture with a rubber spatula.

Turn the dough out on a floured work surface and fold it over on itself several times, shaping it into a round loaf. Transfer the loaf to one cookie sheet or jelly roll pan covered with parchment or foil and cut a cross in the top. Bake for 15 minutes then reduce heat to 350 and cook for about 15 to 20 minutes more, until well colored and a toothpick plunged into the center emerges clean.

Cool the soda bread on a rack and serve with plenty of sweet butter and bitter orange marmalade.

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Comments & Reviews

recipe Marilyn O'Reilly's Irish Soda Bread
Jennifer Chapel Hill, NC 07-26-2009
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very easy, very tasty - especially with butter!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

This is my second attempt with soda bread. The first time I don't remember which recipe I used, but I used 100% whole wheat... and it was way too heavy. Using Marilyn's recipe (and all-purpose flour) this second time was a total success. I'll be making this again and again :). I can't wait to try different fruits like some reviewers have recommended!Read more
recipe Marilyn O'Reilly's Irish Soda Bread
joyce brentwood, CA 03-22-2009
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OMG! One Fantastic Bread
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I have been looking for years for some really good irish soda bread. I was born and raised in a little town on the east coast... that had a single bakery owned by an irish couple who were right off the boat. I got spoiled in having the best irish soda bread ever! When I moved to the west coast, I wasn't able to find it at all, since we dont have little bakery's, basically if you want baked goods, your local supermarket is it! I found this recipe and decided to try it! It is the closed I have ever had to Shanahans bakery! I love it! I can't get enough! I guarantee this wont be the last time I make this, and hey why can't everyday be Saint Patrick's Day? With this recipe it can!!!!! Enjoy super easy to make, twice as easy to eat it all up! Read more
recipe Marilyn O'Reilly's Irish Soda Bread
Rozanne San Bruno, CA 03-21-2009
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Easy and Delicious
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

On an impulse I decided to make Irish soda bread to share at work on St. Paddy's Day. This recipe sounded great and it... really was excellent. I used currants in place of the raisins and brushed the baked loaf with melted butter. Everyone loved it. I'll definitely make it again.Read more
recipe Marilyn O'Reilly's Irish Soda Bread
Heather Winston Salem, NC 03-18-2009
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Wow, the best Irish Soda Bread I've ever had
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I've had decent Irish Soda Bread, even made decent Irish Soda Bread but it has never been anything worth making any other day... of the year...until now. This bread was a huge hit at my St. Patty's Day dinner and everyone wanted to know if there was some leftover to take home. It tastes like how a really good raisen scone should taste but in a much larger version. I made honey butter to go with it and it was delish the next day even. I made it the day before as I read from another reviewer that it was better the next day and they were right. Plus, getting something out of the way was a bonus as St. Patty's Day was busy enough with the other food to make. I will make this bread all throughout the year for brunch. Thanks Marilyn!Read more
recipe Marilyn O'Reilly's Irish Soda Bread
patricia mount airy, MD 03-18-2009
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My First Time
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

this is the first time I have ever made Irish soda bread. I omitted the seeds and used chopped dates soaked in a little dark... rum instead of raisins - FABULOUS! I'll make this again, but I won't wait til Saint Paddy's Day!Read more
recipe Marilyn O'Reilly's Irish Soda Bread
heather Jax, FL 03-17-2009
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Really nice bread
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I wanted to make Irish Soda Bread for our 1st Annual St. Patty's Day Feast, and went with this recipe after reading several. ... People have not stopped talking about it. Even I am surprised by what a hit it was. I followed the recipe exactly. The only change I made was making two smaller circular loaves instead of one large one. I will definitely be making this bread again, and long before next March 17th. Read more