Blue Ribbon Irish Soda Bread Recipe (2024)

Published: by Eileen xo

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My Irish Soda Bread recipe has won many blue ribbons for a reason, it's beyond delicious.A sweeter version of traditional Irish soda bread because it has raisins and sugar.

Blue Ribbon Irish Soda Bread Recipe (1)
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  • ❤️ Why you'll love this recipe
  • Ingredients
  • Equipment
  • Instructions
  • Storage
  • Expert Tips
  • Variations
  • Serving Suggestions
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Comments

❤️ Why you'll love this recipe

  • This one-bowl bread is easy and tasty, no yeast is needed, and the results are incredibly delicious Irish bread.
  • This soda bread has won numerous blue ribbons at baking contests.
Blue Ribbon Irish Soda Bread Recipe (2)

Ingredients

  • all-purpose flour
  • baking soda
  • baking powder
  • white sugar
  • salt
  • unsalted butter
  • buttermilk
  • sour cream
  • egg

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Equipment

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F/177°C. Spray a 9-inch cast iron skillet or glass pie pan with non-stick baking spray and set aside.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, mix the flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and baking soda.
  3. Add softened unsalted butter. Blend with your hands until the mixture is a coarse crumble and there are no large clumps of butter. Make a well in the center of the ingredients.
  4. Add in the egg and whisk to break up the egg, the color will be light yellow. Mix in 1 cup of low-fat buttermilk, sour cream, and raisins.
  5. Use a wooden spoon to gently fold together the ingredients. If the mixture appears to dry, add a little more buttermilk.
  6. Place dough into the prepared pan. Use a serrated knife or a very sharp knife to make a deep cross in the center of the dough. Sprinkle the teaspoon of remaining flour over the top of the dough.
  7. Bake in the preheated oven on the center rack in the center of the oven for about 65 minutes. Check if the bread is done by putting a toothpick through the center of the bread. A toothpick should come out clean. If the toothpick is not coming out clean, leave bread in the oven for additional 5-minute intervals. Check for doneness after every 5 minutes.
  8. The bread will be golden brown and the toothpick should come out clean when done baking.
  9. Let the bread cool on a wire rack for at least 20 minutes before slicing.
  10. Enjoy the bread plain, with a bit of butter, jelly, or marmalade.

Storage

To keep the bread fresh, wrap it tightly with plastic wrap or store it in a large sealable bag for up to 4 days.

This bread can be frozen for up to 3 months. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap then store in a freezer-safe bag.

The bread can be sliced up and then frozen. Then take out as many slices as needed to defrost.

Defrost overnight in the refrigerator.

Blue Ribbon Irish Soda Bread Recipe (3)

Expert Tips

  • Be sure to use room-temperature unsalted butter for best results.
  • For best results, I use unsalted Kerry Gold Irish butter.
  • Let the bread cool completely before slicing.
  • Check if the bread is done by putting a toothpick through the center of bread. Toothpick should come out clean. If the toothpick is not coming out clean, leave bread in the oven for additional 5-minute intervals. Check for doneness after every 5 minutes.
  • A cake tester can be used instead of a toothpick for the doneness of the quick bread.

Variations

  • During the holidays, I used dried cranberries instead of raisins.
  • If using dried cranberries for the holidays, a little orange zest can be added for a zing of flavor to the bread.
  • Many add caraway seeds to the bread, about 1 Tablespoon.
Blue Ribbon Irish Soda Bread Recipe (4)

Serving Suggestions

Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage must have a slice of this bread or our very popular Irish Brown Bread.

Irish Beef Stew is hearty and full of flavor from beef and veggies.

Bangers and Mash is a great dinner of sausages in a Guinness brown gravy served over potatoes. A side of this easy soda bread would be delicious

Cottage Pie is a hearty casserole and a slice of bread would be a great addition.

Try our Grasshopper Pie for a delicious dessert table to serve along with this great Irish soda bread recipe.

Looking for a great array of Irish recipes, check out our St. Patrick's Day recipe collection.

My kids loved this Shamrock Shake growing up. I still make it for them and it is still a favorite.

For a tasty cookie, try our Chocolate Mint Cookies with Mint Frosting! The family loves these cookies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is it called Soda Bread?

Many baking ingredients were not easy to come by in Ireland. In the 1800s, baking soda was introduced to Ireland.
Traditional soda bread had only a few ingredients including soured milk - we use buttermilk and baking soda.
The baking soda is a leavening agent for the bread.

What does soda bread taste like?

Our bread is a bit different than traditional Irish soda bread. It has sugar, raisins, and sour cream making our bread a bit sweeter and moist.

Why is a cross cut into the top of the bread before baking?

It's been told that the cross in the Irish Soda Bread wards off evil.
My Granny always said that the Cross is blessing all who eat the bread.

I don't have buttermilk, what can I substitute?

To substitute buttermilk, for every cup of buttermilk use 1 cup of milk of choice and 1 Tablespoon of white vinegar.
Whisk together and let it sit on the counter for about 5-10 minutes before adding to your recipe.

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Thank you for your continued support. I am forever grateful.

Eileen xo

If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.

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📖 Recipe

Blue Ribbon Irish Soda Bread Recipe (5)

Blue Ribbon Irish Soda Bread Recipe

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!

4.87 from 22 votes

Print Rate

Course: Bread, Breakfast, Dessert

Cuisine: Irish

Keyword: Irish soda bread, Soda bread recipe

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour hour

cool down time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour 30 minutes minutes

Servings: 16 slices

Calories: 235kcal

Author: Eileen Kelly

Equipment Needed:

Ingredients

  • 4 cups + 1 teaspoon all-purpose flour (1 teaspoon for dusting top of the loaf before baking)
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 to 1 ½ cups low-fat buttermilk start with 1 cup buttermilk. Add a little more if needed.
  • 1 cup low-fat sour cream
  • ½ to ¾ cup raisins love raisins add ¾ cup
  • non-stick baking spray

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9-inch cast iron skillet or glass pie pan with non-stick baking spray, set aside.

  • In a large mixing bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and baking soda.

  • Add the butter to the flour mixture. Blend with your hands until the mixture is a coarse crumble and there are no large clumps of butter. Make a well in the center of the ingredients.

  • Into the hole, add the egg, use a spoon or whisk to break it up slightly. Note 1It Mix in 1 cup of low-fat buttermilk, low-fat sour cream.

  • Use a wooden spoon to gently fold all ingredients. Add a little more buttermilk if the dough seems too dry.

  • Place dough into the prepared pan. Use a serrated knife to make a cross in the center of the dough. Sprinkle the 1 teaspoon of remaining flour over the top of dough.

  • Bake in the preheated oven on the center rack in center of the oven for about 60 minutes. Check if the bread is done by putting a toothpick through the center of bread.

    The toothpick should come out clean. If the toothpick is not coming out clean, leave bread in the oven for additional 5-minute intervals. Check for doneness after every 5 minutes.

  • Let the bread cool on a wire rack at least 20 minutes before slicing.

  • Enjoy the bread plain, with a bit of butter, jelly, or marmalade.

Notes

Be sure to check the Expert Tips and FAQs above with important tips and questions that can help make a delicious recipe.

Note 1: Add the egg to the center of the flour mixture and use a whisk or spoon to break it up slightly before adding the buttermilk, sour cream, and raisins.

  • Make a well in the center of dry ingredients because that is how my Nana taught me.
  • Start with 1 cup of buttermilk. If the mixture is too dry, add a little more.
  • Use a wooden spoon to stir, again that is how my Granny taught me.

Storage: 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 a freezer bag. Defrost in the refrigerator.

I’m not a registered dietician but I do my best to provide the most accurate nutritional values. Any nutritional data I provide is an approximation. Actual dietary information can vary based on ingredients and portion sizes.

Don’t forget to shop at theEveryday Eileenstore on Amazon.

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice | Calories: 235kcal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 16mg | Sodium: 234mg | Potassium: 242mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 23g | Vitamin A: 50IU | Vitamin C: 0.8mg | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 2mg

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Blue Ribbon Irish Soda Bread Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What's the difference between Irish bread and Irish soda bread? ›

Irish brown bread has a deep, nutty flavor because of its wheat flour and wheat bran while soda bread uses only white flour. Soda bread is slightly sweet and more scone-like while Irish brown bread is more savory with a tender interior.

Why is Irish soda bread so dry? ›

It's important to remember no to overmix your ingredients. Irish Soda Bread is a dense bread, similar to a scone, but can easily become dry if overmixed. Quickly add the wet ingredients to a well you've made in the dry ingredients, and mix with your hands or a dough hook until it just comes together.

Why does Irish soda bread not need yeast? ›

The Irishmen learned to adapt to this climate by growing soft wheat that is lower in gluten. The type of flour from this wheat is not compatible with the yeast to make the dough rise; thus, they use baking soda instead to make the famed Irish Soda Bread.

Why do you put a cross in Irish soda bread? ›

The Southern Irish regions bake their loaves in a classic round fashion and cut a cross on top of the bread. This was done for superstitious reasons, as families believed a cross on top of the bread would let the fairies out or ward off evil and protect the household.

Do people in Ireland eat Irish soda bread? ›

Soda bread is a type of bread that uses baking soda instead of yeast as a leavening agent. It is a traditional bread in Ireland and has been a staple food for many Irish families for centuries.

How are you supposed to eat Irish soda bread? ›

How to Eat Irish Soda Bread. This versatile bread works for any meal, but Irish soda bread is a natural for breakfast, whether simply spread with (Irish) butter and jam or alongside that hearty fry-up known as a full Irish breakfast. It's also wonderful with a cup of tea in the afternoon or as a late-night snack.

Should you refrigerate Irish soda bread? ›

Tightly wrap your leftover bread and place it in an airtight container. There's no need to refrigerate. As for how long soda bread lasts: Irish soda bread tends to dry out faster than other breads. The bread will be good for 3-4 days or up to three months if frozen.

Should Irish soda bread be served warm or cold? ›

Soda bread dries out quickly so it really is only good for a day or two. It is best eaten freshly baked and warm or toasted.

Is Irish soda bread bad for you? ›

Nutrition Notes

Whole-wheat soda bread is a healthy addition to your plate! One serving—a 1/2-inch-thick slice—provides complex carbohydrates for sustained energy, protein, fiber, and vitamins and minerals.

How do you know when Irish soda bread is done? ›

The most traditional doneness test calls for thumping the hot bread in the center to hear if it's hollow-sounding. A more foolproof indication is temperature; the loaf will register 200°F to 205°F when an instant-read thermometer is inserted in the center of the bread.

Is Irish soda bread the same as sourdough bread? ›

People often ask if sourdough bread and soda bread are the same thing. The quick answer is no. While both sourdough and soda bread share some similarities, such as the lactic acid inside the bread, they both use different ingredients and processes – which also means they taste different, too.

What do the Irish call Irish soda bread? ›

It depends on where in Ireland you are: Down South, where I live, it's called white soda bread (with only white flour) or brown soda bread (with brown and white flour) and are created as a cake of bread.

What is another name for Irish soda bread? ›

Irish soda bread has a couple of other names, too: When we attended a class at the famous Ballymaloe Cookery School in County Cork, Ireland, they made this loaf and called it a Spotted Dog. It's also called white soda bread, American Irish soda bread, or fruit soda bread.

How long should bread rest after baking? ›

First and foremost, it's always best to let fresh bread rest until it's cool and fully set before slicing. I know, fresh-from-the-oven is hard to resist, but your bread will not only taste better it will keep longer if you wait to cut it for at least an hour—I prefer two or more.

Is soda bread an Irish bread? ›

Despite its humble beginnings, Irish soda bread has become a large part of the typical St. Patrick's Day feast and plays a major role in Ireland's culinary history.

What's the difference between bread and soda bread? ›

What is soda bread? Soda bread is a type of quick bread which takes its name from the baking soda (or, sodium bicarbonate) that is used as a leavening agent instead of the traditional yeast. Traditionally, soda bread is made using flour, baking soda, salt, and buttermilk.

What is the difference between bread and soda bread? ›

The primary difference between a sourdough and a normal bread is that while a regular bread is kneaded with packaged yeast, sourdough bread is leavened with Lactobacillus bacteria and wild yeasts.

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