My Blue Ribbon Authentic Irish Soda Bread

Yup, that’s right, My Blue Ribbon Authentic Irish Soda Bread! It is my most requested family bread. A super easy Irish soda bread that my family has enjoyed for generations! A little proud to say I have received numerous blue ribbons for this bread! You need to go no further for the best Irish Soda Bread recipe that is a little bit sweeter than some other Irish Soda Bread recipes and always a hit!

Learning how to make Irish Soda Bread is easier than you think! You will be using just one bowl and a wooden spoon and a few simple ingredients and you will have the best authentic Irish Soda Bread recipe around!

Over the years I have tweaked my Grandma’s recipe for Irish soda bread as her instructions were always, “add a fistful of flour and a dollop of butter”.  My Grandmother never used any measurements. I’ve made my Irish soda bread so many times, I couldn’t begin to count! I am so proud that this bread has been titled the Best Irish Soda Bread at many baking contests!

Some question about FAQS about Irish Soda Bread:

I want to make Irish Soda Bread but I do not have buttermilk, 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.

I have had Irish Soda Bread and some recipes are sweeter than others, why?

I will say this about any recipe, If you like it, enjoy it. My recipe for Authentic Irish Soda bread has taken a bit of a twist on my Grandmothers bread. It is a bit sweeter and moist. Most importantly, I cannot keep it in the house. I do make a savory Traditional Irish Soda bread that does not have sour cream or sugar, have not shared it here yet. This is a fun article that talks about sweet and savory Irish Soda Bread.

This is an Irish Soda Bread with Raisins, I don’t like raisins, what can I use?

This is where I say recipes are awesome but you can use variety. 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

Does this Irish Soda Bread recipe 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 this recipe for Irish Soda Bread be shipped to the family via mail?

Oh yes, As I said here, 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 Grandma 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.

Here is the funny thing about family traditions! The photo above shows how my Grandma made her bread and that is exactly how I make my Authentic Irish Soda Bread.

How to Make My Blue Ribbon Irish Soda Bread:

• First, sift dry ingredients into a large bowl.
• Use impeccably clean hands to add the unsalted softened butter into the dry ingredients into a fine crumble.
• Next, make a well I make in the center of the dry ingredients. Don’t ask why this is just how we do it! Trust me, make the well!
• 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 either a glass 9 inch round glass pie pan or a cast iron pan.  I use my Granny Annie’s cast iron.
• Then make a cross with a knife through the bread! See 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!

Feel free to serve this Irish Soda Bread with:

Detox Lemon Ginger Green Tea 

Cleansing Cranberry Tea

These are also favorite baked recipes my family loves:

Irish Brown Bread

Glazed Cranberry Orange Scones

Irish Soda Bread or my other favorite Irish Brown Bread is perfect for:

  Guinness Beef Stew

The Best Beef, Mushroom Guinness Pie

 If you are having a Saint Patrick’s Day celebration, I recommend making some small loaves to give to your guests to bring home. Everyday tip: I buy aluminum small loaf pans to make the Irish Soda bread for my family and friends. As I said, these freeze well. In addition, I start making them early and freeze until ready to give as gifts!

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!

A tutorial to learn How to Make Irish Soda Bread:

Check out the Best Irish Soda Bread Recipe:

4.86 from 7 votes

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Blue Ribbon Irish Soda Bread

A family recipe that we make every week! This is a multiple blue ribbon baking contest winner, perfect for a breakfast bread. Great for any time of year. Of course, perfect for Saint Patrick’s Day with your Irish breakfast, corned beef, or Guinness stew!

Course Breakfast, Dessert, Vegetarian

Cuisine Baking, Irish

Keyword Saint Patrick's Day

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 50 minutes

cool time 30 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes

Servings 16 servings

Calories 235 kcal

Author Eileen xo

Ingredients

• 4 cups + 1 teaspoon unbleached all-purpose flour (1 teaspoon for dusting top of the loaf before baking)
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 1 large egg
• 1 - 1 1/2 cups low-fat buttermilk
• 1 cup low-fat sour cream
• 1-2 cups raisins * I prefer a lot of raisins

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9 inch Pyrex or cast iron pan with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.

2. 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.
   

3. 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.

4. 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.
   

   
   

5. 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.

   
   

6. 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. 

Recipe Notes

• I make a well in the center of dry ingredients because that is how my Nana taught me.
• I use a wooden spoon to stir, again that is how my Nana taught me.
• Any nutritional data I provide is an approximation and actual dietary information can vary based on ingredients and proportion sizes.

Nutrition Facts

Blue Ribbon Irish Soda Bread

Amount Per Serving (1 slice)

Calories 235 Calories from Fat 18

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 2g 3%

Saturated Fat 1g 5%

Monounsaturated Fat 10g

Cholesterol 16mg 5%

Sodium 234mg 10%

Potassium 242mg 7%

Total Carbohydrates 52g 17%

Dietary Fiber 2g 8%

Sugars 23g

Protein 5g 10%

Vitamin A 1%

Vitamin C 1%

Calcium 2%

Iron 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Pin my Authentic Irish Soda Bread to make any time here:

Looking for some more ethnic bread recipes. Try these from my favorite blogs:

Finnish Cardamom Pulla Bread from Mildly Meandering

Russian Bread from Valentina’s Corner

Cheddar Jalapeno Bread from The Foodie Affair

Barbari Bread – A Persian Bread  from Seduction in the Kitchen