My Irish Soda Bread recipe is absolutely delicious. A sweeter version of Irish Soda Bread because it has raisins and sugar. Very traditional soda bread is not as sweet as mine, no raisins or sugar.
I have made at least 1000 of these breads. The most requested recipe from everyone. Even traditional Irish Soda Bread lovers, give this recipe a go, you won’t be disappointed!
This article was last updated March 15, 2019
With my Granny’s approval, I tweaked the recipe to be a little sweeter. For my family, this is our favorite recipe for Irish Soda Bread. Call it a quick bread, tea cake, modern soda bread, whatever you want, just make the bread and enjoy.
Irish Soda Bread Recipe:
One reason I have tweaked my Grandma’s recipe for the bread is because of her instructions! What a spitfire she was too! She would tell me “throw a fistful of flour and a dollop of baking soda”, as her recipe instructions!
Fistfulls, dollops, and a wee bit of whatever ingredient is how I learned to cook.
My Grandmother never used any measurements. I don’t think she even had a measuring cup.
I am so proud that this bread has been titled the Best Irish Soda Bread at many baking contests.
Learning how to make Irish Soda Bread is easier than you think!
Irish Soda Bread is perfect paired with my easy Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage! We enjoy Bangers and Mash with Soda Bread as well! Delicious!
These are recipes that you can enjoy year round! Perfect for your Saint Patrick’s Day Celebration!
Tools to make Irish Soda Bread:
- a bowl
- wooden spoon
- 8 or 9 inch round cast iron pan or cake pan
Ingredients to make a delicious Irish Soda Bread:
- flour
- baking soda
- baking powder
- sugar
- salt
- unsalted butter
- buttermilk
- sour cream
- egg
Irish Soda bread, a flavorful bread filled with raisins!
When buttermilk isn’t available, is there a substitute?
To substitute buttermilk, for every cup of buttermilk use 1 cup of milk of choice and 1 Tablespoon of white vinegar. Blend and let it sit on the counter for about 5-10 minutes before adding to your recipe. Without getting into the science of baking, do not use plain regular milk, your soda bread will just not be good. The buttermilk has to work with the baking soda to make a great dough.
Some Irish Soda Bread recipes are sweeter than others, why?
I will say this about any recipe, If you like it, make and enjoy! My recipe for Irish Soda Bread has taken a bit of a twist on my Grandmothers bread. It is a bit sweeter and more moist. More importantly, I cannot keep it in the house.
This is a fun article that talks about sweet and savory Irish Soda Bread.
Can I use dried fruit other than raisings to make Irish Soda Bread?
Recipes are awesome but you can always modify for you and your family! At the Holidays, I use dried cranberries. Feel free to change up the dried fruit if raisins are not on your list of likes. I promise I won’t be mad. #nojudging
Why is it called Irish Soda Bread?
Way back when ingredients were not easy to come by in Ireland. In the 1800s, baking soda was introduced to Ireland. As I mentioned, traditional soda bread had only a few ingredients including soured milk – we use buttermilk and baking soda. The baking soda is a leavener for the bread.
Will Irish Soda Bread freeze well?
Absolutely! I make this bread a few at a time because my boys eat this every day. I wrap well with plastic wrap and then place in a large freezer bag. You can cut it into quarters to reduce taking up space.
Can I send this Soda Bread to the family via mail?
Yes! This is a super popular family recipe and my kids move around the country. I send this to them to remind them of home. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. Mail to your family and be the most popular relative.
Why do you make a cross in the bread before you bake the bread?
Ireland is a very Catholic country, the cross in the Irish Soda Bread wards off evil. My Granny always said that the Cross was also Blessing all those that ate the bread. That warms my heart as I miss my Granny every day.
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Pro Tips for making an amazing Irish Soda Bread:
- Use softened unsalted butter.
- Feel free to use your clean hands to blend the butter into the flour mixture.
- Wrap the bread tightly with plastic wrap or store in large plastic sealable bag to keep bread moist.
- Spray the bottom of cast iron or pie plate with non-stick spray. Bread will not stick.
- Let the bread cool completely before slicing.
Step by Step instructions to make Irish Soda Bread
How to Make Irish Soda Bread:
- Sift dry ingredients into a large bowl.
- Blend the unsalted softened butter into the dry ingredients Blend into a fine crumble. (top pic)
- Next, make a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Don’t ask why this is just how my Granny taught me and it works! Trust me, make the well! (pic 2)
- Add the beaten egg, buttermilk, and sour cream! Use a wooden spoon, yup, has to be a wooden spoon to gently mix the ingredients.
- If needed add a wee bit more buttermilk and of course raisins.
- Use a cast iron or a 9 inch round pie pan. I use my Granny Annie’s cast iron.
- Make a cross with a knife through the top of the bread! See the question above as to why you must do this!
- To finish, sprinkle a dusting of flour on the uncooked bread before it goes into the oven.
This is such a versatile bread! A tasty Irish Soda Bread is delicious with marmalade, butter, or straight up!
A few other favorite baked recipes of my family:
Glazed Cranberry Orange Scones
Irish Soda Bread is a perfect dessert for:
The Best Beef, Mushroom Guinness Pie
Looking for some more ethnic bread recipes. Try these from my favorite blogs:
Finnish Cardamom Pullapart Bread from Mildly Meandering
Russian Bread from Valentina’s Corner
I absolutely love this bread! It is super moist and doesn’t last a day in my house! It is one of those loaves of bread that I bring to my friends all the time. They are always asking me to make one for them!
How to Make Irish Soda Bread video:
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Blue Ribbon Irish Soda Bread Recipe
Equipment Needed:
Ingredients
- 4 cups + 1 teaspoon unbleached all-purpose flour (1 teaspoon for dusting top of the loaf before baking)
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg
- 1 to 1 ½ cups low-fat buttermilk start with 1 cup buttermilk. Add a little more if needed.
- 1 cup low-fat sour cream
- ¾ cup raisins
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9 inch pie pan or cast iron pan with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.
- In a large bowl, sift together all-purpose flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Add softened unsalted butter. Blend with your hands until mixture is a coarse crumble and there are no large clumps of butter. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Set bowl aside.
- In a medium bowl, add the egg and gently whisk. Add in 1 cup of low-fat buttermilk and low-fat sour cream. Blend well.
- Add the wet ingredients into the well of the dry ingredients. Use a wooden spoon to gently fold all ingredients. When almost completely blended, add raisins. Add a little more buttermilk if mixture seems too dry.
- Place dough into the prepared pan. Make a cross in the dough. Sprinkle the 1 teaspoon of remaining flour over the top of dough. Bake on a rack in center of the oven for about 50 - 60 minutes. Check if the bread is done by putting a toothpick through the center of bread. Toothpick should come out clean. Depending on oven size, bread may need a few more minutes. If the toothpick is not coming out clean, leave bread in the oven for 5-minute intervals. Check for doneness after the additional 5 minutes. Toothpick should come out clean. Let the bread cool for about 10 minutes. Finish cooling on a wire cooling rack before slicing and serving.
- Bread can be wrapped in plastic wrap. It never lasts beyond 2 days in my home. Also, bread can be made ahead and frozen. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and store in freezer bag. Defrost in the refrigerator.
Notes
- Make a well in the center of dry ingredients because that is how my Nana taught me.
- Start with 1 cup of buttermilk. If the mixture is too dry, add a little more.
- Use a wooden spoon to stir, again that is how my Granny taught me.
- Any nutritional data I provide is an approximation and actual dietary information can vary based on ingredients and proportion sizes.
Nutrition
Pin my Irish Soda Bread to make any time here:
I made this for our St. Patty’s Day dinner last night (a day early because my hubby has to work the evening shift), IT WAS AWESOME!!!! I have tried several recipes over the years and this will be the only one I use from now on. I was skeptical because I added a cup and 1/4 of buttermilk because at first it looked to dry, but then it looked too wet. When it baked it was perfectly moist. I love this bread, so easy and so delicious. Thank you for sharing!
Catherine, this is just fantastic. I am so happy you enjoy the soda bread. You made my day better. Enjoy it and have a wonderful day.
Thank you Eileen 🙂
It’s been a few years and I forgot the easy awesome recipe given to me by a friend from Ireland. I tried this and it came out lovely. Family is very happy tonight!
I am so happy you enjoy the bread, Heather. It is also so kind of you to let me know how it worked out for you and giving it such a nice rating. I hope you continue to make this bread often.
Okay! I think I have a winner! This is my second attempt to make a good Irish Soda Bread and it is so much better than the first. I was a bit skeptical because I had to put it back in the oven twice because the inside looked a little undercooked. Pulled it out, sliced it while it was still hot, spread on some Kerrygold butter and YUM! Next time I think I’ll add just a bit more butter milk as I only used one cup. Thank you s
For sharing!
Excellent Joanne, so glad it works for you. I generally end up using 1 1/2 cups of buttermilk to the bread. I am so glad you enjoyed it. Thank you for leaving such a nice review. You made my day. Have a wonderful day.
best irish soda bread ever!!!!!
Hi Maura, I am so happy you enjoy our soda bread. Thank you for taking the time to let me know. I hope you make it often.
Prepared this as written with one exception. I put the raisins in warm water and drained them before adding. The bread was delicious. We shared with neighbors who have asked for more!!
This bread is moist with just enough sweetness. Serve it as a side to corned beef and cabbage or with your morning coffee. Tomorrow baking another. Thank you for sharing the recipe. Loved the stories of your “Granny” and her helpful hints!
Aw, this is great Laurie. So happy you love the bread. My Granny was awesome, she’d be so happy you liked the bread.
This is by far the best ever and so easy! Definitely one of our favorites!
Thank you so very much Ilene. I am so glad you enjoyed the bread.
Excellent! I make soda bread every year for St. Patrick’s Day and this is the best one by far! Thanks 🍀❤️
Wow, thank you so much Laceye! I am so happy you enjoyed the bread. I hope you make it often and enjoy! Happy Saint Patrick’s Day.
So delicious. I substituted olive oil for butter. Baked in a square foil pan for 50 min. Before baking I sprinkled coarse sugar on top. Came out golden brown and moist.
Fantastic JG, I love the idea of olive oil. I have to try that variation. I’m so glad you enjoy the soda bread.
Can I substitute plain yogurt for the sour cream. I making it today and have everything but sour cream. Can’t wait to try it on my family. This is the first recipe I have seen their calls for sour cream
Hi Mary Beth – I have never used yogurt but I am sure it will be a good replacement for sour cream. I hope you enjoy and let me know how the yogurt works. Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!
Why does the ingredient list say “1 1/2 cups low-fat buttermilk” and the instructions say 1 cup??
Hi James. The recipe uses 1 cup of buttermilk. Occasionally, and it usually depends of weather or altitude a little more buttermilk is needed. I have update the recipe to make that a bit more clear! I hope that helps and enjoy!
I made it today with 1 1/2 cups of buttermilk and it came out amazing!
Awesome James! You have made my day! So glad you enjoy the bread!
i want to make one for meeting Sunday (Saint Patrick’s Day) and this looks like an excellent recipe to follow-but i was told its best to soak the raisins in a cup of Jameson Irish whiskey overnight-can i do that with this recipe?
Hi Richard! You can certainly soak the raisins in Jameson overnight! The whiskey will add a nice flavor to the bread. I hope you check back in after you make the bread and let me know how you liked the bread! I hope you take a pic to share as well! Happy Saint Patrick’s Day
I love Irish Soda Bread recipes. In the past, I have always been intimidated by baking them at home, but, you have given me the confidence to try it at home. This looks so delicious.
Thank you so much! I hope you make and enjoy the soda bread!
This is the yummiest look Irish Soda Bread I have ever seen. I love that you added raisins! They are much easier to find than currents.
Thank you Sandra! I love using raising in this bread too!
Can u use whole fat sour cream
Absolutely! I use low-fat soup cream to cut calories but whole fat I have used with the same results. I hope you come back after you make it and let me know how it worked. Take a pic and post on Instagram 🙂
I tried baking this yesterday and absolutely it was so delicious! My family loves it so much! Thank you for sharing this!
You have made my day Rayz! I am so glad you and your family enjoyed the soda bread! I hope you make it often and enjoy!
I I made this for the first time, both easy and wonderful. The only trouble is, I could eat it all myself, it’s that good.
Barbara, that is awesome!So glad you enjoyed! I know, I try not to eat it until I have given away a half or I would eat it all too. Thank you for the kind comment! xo
This was my first time making or even tasting Irish Soda Bread. It is fantastic! Thank you for this wonderful recipe
Fantastic, Carol. I am so thrilled you enjoyed the Soda Bread. It is a keeper. I appreciate your taking the time to let me know.
Hello and thank you for the awesome recipe. I just made it last night and brought it to church today. It was all gone. It was a hit. Very easy to put together. I will be using this recipe from now on. Have a great baking day.
Efriend
I am so happy that you enjoyed the recipe Efrain! You have made my day. Glad you will be making this recipe regularly! Its a favorite of my families.
I made this for our corned beef dinner! Wow! So moist and delicious! The best bread I ever had! Thank you for the recipe! It’s the only one I will be using from now on!
Fabulous! I love this bread so much too! I am glad you are enjoying the recipe!
My doctor suggested I try Irish brown bread, as I have given up all “store-bought” bread. Just finished my first attempt and couldn’t wait for it to complete cool. It’s fabulous. Soda bread is next. Can’t wait!! Thanks much for sharing your recipes with us.
Yaayy Marge! I am so glad you enjoyed the Brown Bread and you are now making the soda bread. I will be sharing more homemade breads very soon. I hope you enjoy them as well
I threw out my old recipe and use this one always. It baked up beautifully nd was easy to make. There was just enough sweetness and it was moist. It got rave reviews from my guests.
I am so happy to hear that Connie. I am happy you use this recipe all the time and that your guest like it. Enjoy and Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!
Would it be wrong to use a different dried fruit, such as craisens? We’re not really that wild about raisens.
Helen, absolutely use craisins. I change things up all the time. During Christmas time, I love adding dried cranberries too! I hope you let me know how the recipe works for you! Enjoy!
Real Irish soda bread has caraway seeds.
Dallas, Caraway seeds are an option. Personally, I just do not like caraway seeds and never eat them. However, feel free to add them to your recipe and enjoy.
I made this yesterday and It was gone before I went to bed. We love it. Thank you for the recipe
Fabulous Carol! I am so glad you and your family enjoyed the recipe! I am proud of this recipe! A family tradition!
This has become my families favorite bread. I have made it so many times, I thought I should let you know how great it is!
Oh wow, Jeanne! Thank you! I am honored that your family enjoys the bread. We love it and I am so proud of it too!
HI! I wanted to make this for St. Pattys day but didn’t have time. I finally made it tonight and it’s sooo good!! Very most and just sweet enough. I made it in 4 small loave pans and cut the baking time to 35-40 minutes. We are remodeling our kitchen so i’m going to freeze three of the loaves for when i don’t have an oven. Thank you so much for sharing the recipe!!
Terri, so glad you enjoyed the recipe!Great idea splitting into loaves for those days w/o your kitchen. How lucky to do a remodel too! I am so glad you enjoyed the recipe!
I have loved Irish Soda Bread ever since trying it when I worked in Yosemite Valley 48 years ago. It is so delicious and filling. I’m planning on having this recipe tonight with the Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage recipe I started this morning. With an Irish Coffee or 2 for dessert, a perfect St. Patty’s Day!!!
I am so happy you enjoyed the recipe MaggieMae! I also hope the corned beef and Irish Coffee were delicious!I hope you had a wonderful Saint Patrick’s Day celebration!
This looks incredible! I love irish soda bread, cannot wait to try it!
That is great Abra, glad you enjoy the recipe! Hope you let me know when you make the bread
This bread looks really delicious!
Hello, just stumbled upon this recipe. Have you even experimented with a GF flour blend like Cup4cup? Or similar brand? I grew up on this bread and now have a little one who has Celiac Disease. It’s a large amount of flour to use up and flop with…any ideas.
Thank you for your time and input
Shannon
I have not Shannon! I have to check it out! I have recently started experimenting with Gluten-free flour. I have to do some experimenting and I will try that flour to see how this recipe results.