This sweet Irish soda bread recipe is different than traditional soda bread, which is not sweet. It reminds me more of a scone in loaf form and it’s perfect with a thick layer of Irish butter, and a piping hot cup of strong tea.
Soda bread is just as synonymous with St. Patrick’s Day as corned beef and cabbage. This recipe was given to me by a lovely 86 year old Irish lass. I tweaked it slightly, but the heart of this recipe is hers.
Sweet Irish Soda Bread
This recipe is sweeter than most soda breads and a little cakier. There are many variations of soda bread out there. Most traditionally, it is not sweet and does not have raisins in it.
I like this version, so it’s what I make and quite honestly, that is an integral part of cooking and baking as far as I’m concerned.
If you are making something you like, you are more likely to cook or bake and isn’t that the point? Do what makes you happy, friends. This bread makes me quite happy.
How to make sweet Irish soda bread
This bread is very easy to make. First, cold Irish butter is cut into the flour mixture using a pastry blender. Then, raisins, golden raisins and currants are added.
Next, beat eggs and mix with milk. Then the egg mixture goes in and everything is mixed until it comes together. It is formed into a loaf and bakes for an hour.
This is not like baking traditional bread, where there is a rise and then punching it down to rise again. This is a quick bread recipe and as suggested by the name, comes together very quickly.
Sweet Irish Soda Bread with Raisins and Sultanas
If you tend to like barely sweet, in theory you should be able to reduce the amount of sugar to 1/2 cup without any major disasters.
I haven’t done this, so I can’t be held responsible for the results! If you don’t care for raisins you can omit them or stick with all currants.
This bread is great the first day, a little less on the second and by by the third day: make toast. It makes a rather large loaf, so you could split the dough in half, reduce the baking time and just freeze the other one.
Of, if you’re like me and you tend to make enough to feed half the neighborhood, make someone’s day and share your golden, studded beauty with a few friends.
Best sweet Irish soda bread recipe
While I wouldn’t dream of calling this recipe the BEST, it is the best I’ve ever tasted. I love the sweetness in this bread, which could be served after dinner instead of a dessert.
However, these chocolate cupcakes with mint buttercream are perfect for a St. Patty’s Day dessert.
Pin it to your bread board
Irish Soda Bread
A sweet Irish soda bread, perfect for enjoying with a cup of tea.
Ingredients
- 4 c. AP flour, plus extra for board
- 1 c. sugar
- 3 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1/2 c. butter, cold, cut into cubes
- 1/2 c. golden raisins
- 1/2 c. raisins
- 1/2 c. currants
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 c. buttermilk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350.
- Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and sugar.
- Set aside.
- Using a pastry blender or food processor cut butter into flour mixture until pebble sized pieces remain.
- Add raisins and currants into flour and butter mixture. Toss to coat raisins in flour.
- Add milk and eggs, mix to combine (I don't recommend food processor here).
- Dough will be sticky. Using floured hands, mold into a round or oblong loaf. This is a quick bread and is not meant to be kneaded, take care not to overwork the dough.
- Place soda bread on baking pan lined with parchment paper in center of oven.
- Bake for 1 hour, remove from oven and place on cooling rack.
- Brush top of soda bread with butter while hot.
- Let cool completely before cutting.
Notes
(because I lack patience, I sliced mine while it was still warm... It is better to wait until it has cooled completely before you cut into it)
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
16Amount Per Serving: Calories: 408Saturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 37mgSodium: 279mgCarbohydrates: 78gFiber: 2gSugar: 25gProtein: 8g
This post and recipe have been updated from the original publish date – 2/28/13