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    Home » Recipes » Single Serving Side Dishes

    By Joanie Zisk Published: Jan 28, 2020 · Updated: Mar 1, 2022 · This post may contain affiliate links · Please read my disclosure

    Mini Irish Soda Bread

    Jump to Recipe
    irish soda bread with butter

    This traditional Irish soda bread is easy to make and requires just a few simple ingredients. Made without yeast, this quick bread recipe yields one small loaf. With a perfectly tender crumb and a wonderful golden crust, this soda bread pairs well with soups, chilis, stews, or alone with butter.

    Irish soda bread on a plate

    There are many versions of Irish soda bread and everyone seems to have their favorite.

    Some folks say it's not authentic if the bread doesn't have currents or caraway seeds. Others say it shouldn't be sweet, while others want it sweeter. Any way you slice it, Irish soda bread has fans in all corners and today I'm sharing with you a scaled-down version of my family's Irish soda bread recipe.

    Why This Recipe Works

    Irish soda bread is a quick bread that does not require any yeast. The essential ingredients in a traditional Irish soda bread recipe are flour, buttermilk, baking soda, and salt.

    The baking soda is used as a leavening agent instead of yeast and the acid in the buttermilk reacts with the base of the baking soda to help the bread rise.

    Traditionally, before baking a cross would be cut on the top of the bread. This cross was said to symbolize a blessing of the bread and to protect the household. In reality, scoring the dough helps the heat reach the center of the loaf as it bakes.

    Although soda bread is not a sweet bread, I've chosen to add a small amount of sugar to my recipe. You will find that the amount of sugar I add does not sweeten the bread too much, it just gives it a hint of sweetness.

    RELATED: Best Soup Recipes For One

    Ingredient Notes

    • Flour: Use all-purpose flour
    • Sugar: A very small amount of sugar is used for a hint of sweetness.
    • Salt: For flavor
    • Baking soda: This helps the soda bread to rise.
    • Butter: Use cold salted butter.
    • Raisins: You can use currants or caraway seeds or leave them out altogether.
    • Egg yolk: Use 1 egg yolk and be sure to see ways to use the leftover egg white below.
    • Buttermilk: This ingredient reacts to the baking soda which helps the bread to rise. If you don’t have buttermilk, the closest substitute would be a little dairy with a touch of acidity added. To make ½ cup of buttermilk, measure ½ cup milk (112 milliliters) and add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar. Let sit for 10 minutes at room temperature before using.

    See below for ways to use leftover ingredients.

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    How To Make This Recipe

    Step 1: Mix together flour, sugar, salt, and baking soda.

    Step 2: Work the butter into the flour until it resembles coarse crumbs; then add raisins.

    Flour, sugar, salt, baking soda, and raisins mixed together in a large bowl

    Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together an egg yolk and buttermilk; then pour into the dry mixture and stir to combine.

    Egg yolk and buttermilk added to the mixture in the large bowl

    Step 4: Very lightly knead the dough and form a small circle with the dough.

    Irish soda bread dough sitting on a cutting board next to a knife

    Step 5: Using a sharp knife, score a large "X" about ½-inch deep across the dough.

    Scoring a cross with a knife into the dough of irish soda bread on a cutting board

    Step 6: Bake the soda bread for 40 minutes.

    A hand holding a piece of irish soda bread

    Expert Tips

    • Don't overwork the dough. The dough is not supposed to look smooth.
    • Score the top of the dough with an "X" or a cross shape. This helps the center to bake through.
    • If you're baking this Irish soda bread for St. Patrick's Day, you'll love our Irish Stew and our Guinness Float!

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How Do You Store Irish Soda Bread?

    Leftover soda bread can be cooled completely, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap, and stored at room temperature for up to 3 days.
    It freezes well, up to 3 months. Just thaw and reheat.

    How Do You Serve Irish Soda Bread?

    There are many ways to eat Irish soda bread but the most popular way is with butter. Adding jam or jelly makes this bread a great choice for breakfast.
    Irish Soda Bread can also be served with soups or stews. You might like to consider serving it with any of these single serving soup and stew recipes:
    Potato Soup
    Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup
    French Onion Soup
    Beef Stew
    When sliced, it also makes a great sandwich bread.

    How Much Will This Mini Irish Soda Bread Recipe Yield?

    This soda bread recipe will yield 1 small loaf and is about a quarter of the size of a standard soda bread loaf.

    What To Do With Leftover Ingredients?

    If you have any leftover ingredients from this recipe, consider these ideas:

    Buttermilk freezes well. My preferred method is to freeze the buttermilk in 1 tablespoon portions in an ice cube tray. Once frozen, the cubes can be stored in a zip-topped freezer bag. Since they are already measured, just pull out the amount you need, thaw and use. Consider using leftover buttermilk in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:

    • Hush Puppies
    • Red Velvet Cake
    • Red Velvet Donuts

    You might like to use the raisins in any of these small batch recipes:

    • Oatmeal Cookies
    • Rice Pudding
    • Cream Scones

    This recipe calls for using one egg yolk. Store the egg white in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It should be used within 3 days. You might like to use the leftover egg white in any of these small batch recipes:

    • Meringues
    • Coconut Macaroons
    • Two Chocolate Cupcakes
    • Two Vanilla Cupcakes
    • Mini Texas Sheet Cake

    RELATED: Single Serving Comfort Food Recipes

    For more information on the cooking and baking dishes I use in our “recipes for one”, please visit our FAQ page.

    For examples of the dishes used at One Dish Kitchen, please visit our Store page.

    Spreading butter over a piece of irish soda bread with the rest of the soda bread shown in the background

    RELATED: 15 Easy Dessert Recipes For One

    If you’ve tried this Irish soda bread or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.

    Also, if you take a picture please tag us on Instagram (@onedishkitchen) we’d love to see it!

    a small irish soda bread on a white plate next to a red napkin

    Mini Irish Soda Bread

    Traditional Irish Soda Bread is easy to make and requires a few simple ingredients. No yeast required. Quick recipe yields one small loaf.
    4.69 from 22 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    See the post above for expert tips,
    FAQs and ways to use leftover ingredients.
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 40 minutes
    Cooling TIme: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
    Course: Bread
    Cuisine: Irish
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 203kcal
    Author: Joanie Zisk

    Equipment

    • Mixing bowl
    • Baking sheet

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup all purpose flour
    • 1 ½ teaspoons sugar
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon baking soda
    • 1 tablespoon salted butter , cold
    • ¼ cup raisins
    • 1 large egg yolk
    • ½ cup buttermilk
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Heat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
    • Whisk flour, sugar, salt, and baking soda together in a medium-sized mixing bowl.
    • Cut the butter into small pieces and work the butter into the flour using your fingers or a fork until it resembles coarse crumbs. 
      Stir in the raisins.
      Ingredients in Irish Soda Bread | One Dish Kitchen
    • In a small bowl, whisk together the egg yolk and buttermilk. Pour into the dry ingredients and mix with a spoon until just combined.
      Making Irish Soda Bread | One Dish Kitchen
    • Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface. Knead very lightly and form a 4-inch circle. (Add a little more flour to the dough if the dough becomes too sticky to handle). Do not over-knead!
      Irish Soda Bread Dough | One Dish Kitchen
    • Using a serrated knife, score top of dough about an inch and half deep in an "X" shape.
      Making an "X" on Irish Soda Bread Dough | One Dish Kitchen
    • Place dough on a baking sheet and bake until bread is golden, about 35-40 minutes.
      HINT: If the top of the bread is getting too dark while baking, place a sheet of aluminum foil over the top.
    • Serve bread warm or at room temperature.

    Notes

    Expert Tips
    • Don't overwork the dough. The dough is not supposed to look smooth.
    • Score the top of the dough with an "X" or a cross shape. This helps the center to bake through.
    • If you're baking this Irish soda bread for St. Patrick's Day, you'll love our Irish Stew and our Guinness Float!
    Nutrition Facts
    Mini Irish Soda Bread
    Amount Per Serving (1 serving)
    Calories 203 Calories from Fat 45
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 5g8%
    Saturated Fat 2g13%
    Cholesterol 56mg19%
    Sodium 275mg12%
    Potassium 148mg4%
    Carbohydrates 34g11%
    Fiber 1g4%
    Sugar 3g3%
    Protein 5g10%
    Vitamin A 200IU4%
    Vitamin C 0.5mg1%
    Calcium 47mg5%
    Iron 1.8mg10%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

    The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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    About Joanie Zisk

    Joanie Zisk is the creator of OneDishKitchen.com, the number one go-to site for single serving recipes. The aim of One Dish Kitchen is to inspire individuals with access to single serving recipes that will enable them to enjoy the preparation of a meal that will nourish both body and soul. Her website is filled with hundreds of easy, flavorful recipes that are tailored for those cooking for one. Joanie is the author of "The Ultimate Cooking For One Cookbook" and her recipes and food photography have been featured in various publications including, TODAY.com, Huffington Post, Real Simple, Self.com,Women’s Day, Buzzfeed, and others. Come say hello and follow Joanie on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and LinkedIn.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kelly says

      March 17, 2022 at 6:15 pm

      I loved this recipe! The bread started browning early which scared me, so I took it out about 10 minutes too soon. It was still slightly raw in the middle, so trust the process! It tasted delicious, though. I did not have buttermilk so I used the substitution, and it worked just fine.

      Reply
    2. Donna says

      March 16, 2022 at 5:54 pm

      My Irish soda bread only took 22 minutes instead of 35 to bake. Why would it take less time?

      Reply
      • Joanie Zisk says

        March 17, 2022 at 11:18 am

        It probably took less time because your oven may have been running hotter.

        Reply
    3. Joseph Kelly says

      March 01, 2022 at 5:13 pm

      When I make a full sized irish soda bread, I use a 10" cast iron pan. What size cast iron would you recommend to make this mini loaf?

      Reply
      • Joanie Zisk says

        March 03, 2022 at 11:01 am

        I use a baking sheet but your 10-inch cast iron skillet would be fine to use. Just form the dough into a 4-inch circle as written in the recipe and place it in the center of the skillet to bake.

        Reply
    4. Lynn says

      February 05, 2022 at 8:23 pm

      Delicious and so easy. Love it. Served with Brunswick stew.

      Reply
    5. Lisa says

      October 02, 2021 at 7:11 pm

      I’m sitting here enjoy my perfectly lovely soda bread. I used a whole egg to cut down waste and caraway seeds instead of fruit which is not my thing. So happy! I’ve made your cornbread too. Thank you for you great recipes!

      Reply
    6. Michele says

      January 05, 2021 at 10:04 am

      Hello,
      As a recent widow, I found out I have no idea how to cook for one person, finding you has been a lifesaver and no more throwing away leftovers.
      Many blessings to you.

      Reply
      • Joanie Zisk says

        January 05, 2021 at 11:43 am

        Thank you so much, Michele. I'm so glad you are finding the recipe helpful.

        Reply
    7. PAT says

      November 27, 2020 at 1:49 pm

      EVERY RECIPE OF YOURS THAT I HAVE TRIED
      IS GREAT. I AM GLAD THAT I CAME ACROSS
      YOUR SITE. THANK YOU. PAT

      Reply
      • Joanie Zisk says

        November 27, 2020 at 6:02 pm

        Thank you so much, Pat.

        Reply
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