St Patricks Irish Soda Bread (Printer-friendly)
Golden Irish soda bread dotted with raisins, tender inside and perfect for festive gatherings.
# What You'll Need:
→ Dry Ingredients
01 - 4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 teaspoon baking soda
03 - 1 teaspoon salt
04 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
→ Add-ins
05 - 1 cup raisins or currants
→ Wet Ingredients
06 - 1 3/4 cups buttermilk
07 - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
# How To Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and sugar until well blended.
03 - Stir in raisins or currants until evenly distributed throughout the flour mixture.
04 - Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Pour in buttermilk and melted butter. Mix gently with a wooden spoon or your hands until a shaggy dough forms; do not overmix.
05 - Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface. Gently knead just until it comes together, about 30 seconds.
06 - Shape into a round loaf about 7 inches across. Place on prepared baking sheet.
07 - With a sharp knife, cut a deep X across the top, about ½ inch deep, to help the bread expand as it bakes.
08 - Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the loaf is golden and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
09 - Cool on a wire rack for at least 20 minutes before slicing.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The chemistry is simple but the result feels like something that took years to master
- It comes together in minutes but tastes like it came from a bakery that has been perfecting recipes for generations
02 -
- Overworking the dough makes the bread tough, so handle it gently and stop as soon as it comes together
- The X cut is not just for looks because it helps the heat penetrate the center and allows the bread to expand properly
03 -
- Use room temperature ingredients whenever possible for even better results
- The hollow tap test is the most reliable way to know when your bread is done