Traditional Irish Soda Bread is easy to make and requires a few simple ingredients. No yeast required. Quick recipe yields one small loaf.
Prep Time15 minutesmins
Cook Time40 minutesmins
Cooling TIme10 minutesmins
Total Time1 hourhr5 minutesmins
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Irish
Diet: Vegetarian
Keyword: bread, irish soda bread, mini bread loaf, mini irish soda bread, small bread loaf, small loaf of bread, small loaf of irish soda bread, soda bread
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.
In a small bowl, whisk together the egg yolk and buttermilk. Pour into the dry ingredients and mix with a spoon until just combined.
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!
Using a serrated knife, score top of dough about an inch and half deep in an "X" shape.
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
Even Mixing: Ensure the dry ingredients are thoroughly mixed before adding the buttermilk.
Minimal Handling: Avoid overworking the dough. Irish Soda Bread is best when the dough is handled minimally. It should appear a bit shaggy and rough, not smooth. This ensures a tender and properly textured bread.
Scoring the Dough: Always score the top with an "X" or a cross shape. This traditional technique isn't just for looks; it helps the heat penetrate the center of the loaf, ensuring even baking.
Watch the Oven: Every oven is different. Start checking the bread a few minutes before the suggested baking time