Irish Soda Bread

Recipe courtesy Brother Rick Curry, The Secrets of Jesuit Breadmaking, HaperPerennial, 1995

Show: Sara's SecretsEpisode: Quick and Easy Breads

Rated: 5 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (37)

RECIPE
COMMENTS & REVIEWS(37)

Cook Time:
1 hr 0 min
Level:
Intermediate
Yield:
2 loaves

Times:

Prep: 20 min
Inactive Prep: 20 min
Cook: 1 hr 0 min
Total:: 1 hr 40 min

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Ingredients

5 cups sifted all-purpose unbleached flour
3/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 pound (1 stick) butter
2 1/2 cups mixed light and dark raisins, soaked in water for 15 to 20 minutes and drained
3 tablespoons caraway seeds
2 1/2 cups buttermilk
1 large egg, slightly beaten

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Generously butter 2 (9 by 5-inch) bread pans.

Stir together the sifted flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda. Cut in the butter and mix very thoroughly with your hands until it gets grainy. Stir in raisins and caraway seeds.

Add the buttermilk and egg to the flour mixture. Stir until well moistened. Shape dough into 2 loaves and place in the pans.

Bake for 1 hour. Test with a toothpick for doneness. Cool in the pans for 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

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Comments & Reviews

recipe Irish Soda Bread
Laura Bedford, TX 09-08-2009
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Addictively Delicious!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I chose to make this recipe based on the reviews and I was not disappointed. I don't know that it has a very traditional... taste, but I am no expert. This bread is fairly sweet and makes a great breakfast bread. My husband and I love it and he requests it often. I made some the other night to have for breakfast, but we couldn't wait until morning. We each had two pieces before bed. This recipe is super easy and delicious. Plus it makes two loaves. It is baked in loaf pans unlike most Irish Soda breads, but I have baked it in a round on a sheet pan. It is really a little too wet for this yet turned out well. I generally stick with the loaf pans for consistency of size. Please try this recipe. You won't be disappointed. Read more
recipe Irish Soda Bread
null null, null 05-14-2009
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Easy to Make
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I made this for St. Patrick's Day, and it was very tasty while being easy to make. I made mine with the caraway seeds and... all golden raisins and highly recommend it that way.Read more
recipe Irish Soda Bread
Lilah larchmont, NY 03-18-2009
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DIdn't even know I liked it until...
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I didn't even like Irish Soda Bread until I tried this recipe. It is absolutely delicious. So good. I make it every year and... it gets eaten in a day. My family loves it and my boyfriend who grew up eating it says it's the best he's ever had. Great recipe thanks for making it!!Read more
recipe Irish Soda Bread
Janet Metuchen, NJ 03-17-2009
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DELICIOUS!!!!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I made this recipe last night for my family, but I brought one loaf into work. I cannot believe all the raves for this simple... recipe. I make Irish Soda Bread every year & its always been tasty and dry as all other soda breads I have had. This one is so unique! It has the flavor of traditional bread, but is so moist. The 2 kinds of raisins make it absolutely delicious, and the caraway was perfect. I'm making a couple more loaves tonight for my neighbors (at the request of my husband). I don't think I'll wait until next St. Pat's day to make a couple loaves again. You gotta love the monks.Read more
recipe Irish Soda Bread
Beth Anne Philadelphia, PA 03-16-2009
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Quick Easy traditional Irish Soda Bread
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

Great recipe! Not sure why the skill rating is intermediate, I found this recipe very simple. I made two loaves a few weeks... ago for a st. patty's day party with rave reviews. I am currently baking two loaves to bring into work for st patty's day tomorrow. I know some people said it was too sweet or not sweet enough...this is traditional irish soda bread...meant for breakfast with some butter or later in the day with tea. Its not meant to be a dessert and not meant to be a hearty bread with dinner (leave that to the italians!). Read more
recipe Irish Soda Bread
Christine evanston, IL 03-16-2009
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Fluffy and Delicious
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

This is a great recipe. I didn't even use raisins or carraway! Added a cup of sugar instead of 3/4. (snuck a lil almond... extract) I'm sure I turned this recipe un-irish as a result. Highly recomend either way.Read more