This Irish Soda Bread is a family favorite for St. Patrick’s Day! It’s incredibly moist and loaded with currants and golden raisins.
Growing up, there was always freshly baked Irish Soda Bread and corned beef and cabbage for St. Patrick’s Day at our house. It was a feast worthy of a true Irishman. We don’t have one iota of Irish in us, but on St. Patrick’s Day we were Irish and loved every minute of it! And every bite of it too!
If you’re a regular follower of the blog, you know my mother was an awesome cook, but she was not a baker. So when it came to the recipe for Irish Soda Bread she brought in the big guns. She called on a good family friend who was legit Irish. Now authentic Irish Soda Bread does not have raisins or caraway seeds. It’s more of a plain, everyday white soda bread, but many people do add them. My mother’s version has currants, golden raisins and caraway seeds.
What is Irish Soda Bread?
It’s a type of quick bread that features sodium bicarbonate as a leavening agent instead of yeast.
Was soda bread invented by the Irish?
Technically no. The Irish were not the first people to use bicarbonate of soda in bread-making. Native Americans were the first to use pearl-ash or potash (a natural soda in wood ashes) in their breads to make them rise. The Irish adopted soda bread in the 1800s.
My mom always baked her soda bread in a pie plate, but you can also just place the loaf on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Some things you’ll need to know: the dough will be very shaggy and sticky, you don’t want to over-knead the dough or it will be tough, and you’ll want to score the top of the dough with an X about an inch and a half deep. This will guarantee the heat gets to the center of the loaf as it’s baking.
You’ll love how moist the loaf is. And I think you’ll also enjoy the currants and the golden raisins. I love caraway seeds, but if you’re not a fan, just omit them. This bread is perfect plain or lightly toasted with butter.
I hope this recipe becomes a tradition at your house for St. Patrick’s Day too! And if you’re planning ahead and looking for other delicious St. Patrick’s Day recipes try my Bangers and Mash with Guinness Onion Gravy and my Reuben Poppers. Enjoy!
I’ll be sharing a special post this Saturday as part of a virtual baby shower in honor of my friend Katherine from Love In My Oven. Hope you have a chance to stop back to catch the recipe! I’ll be channeling spring and PINK!
This Irish Soda Bread is a family favorite for St. Patrick's Day! It's incredibly moist and loaded with currants and golden raisins.
- 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tsp. baking powder
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- 1 tsp. kosher salt
- 2 Tbsp. caraway seeds
- 6 Tbsp. unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes
- 2 cups cold buttermilk
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup dried currants
- 1 cup golden raisins
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Generously spray a 9x2-inch deep pie plate with nonstick cooking spray.
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In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, mix together 4 1/4 cups flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and caraway seeds. Add the butter and mix on low speed until coarse crumbs form.
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In a small bowl, lightly whisk together the buttermilk and the egg. With the mixer on low, slowly add the buttermilk mixture to the flour mixture just until incorporated.
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Toss the currants and raisins with the remaining 1/4 cup flour, and add to the dough. Dough will be sticky. Dump the dough onto a well-floured surface. Knead a few times and form into a round, domed loaf. Place into prepared pie plate. Using a sharp knife, cut a deep X in the top of the loaf. Bake until the loaf is cooked though and a tester inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean, about 1 hour 15 minutes. Cool in the pie plate for 15 minutes, then move to wire rack to cool completely. Can be served warm with butter or at room temperature.
I didn’t grow up even knowing what soda bread was but I’m happy to know about it now and to have this delicious looking recipe! A perfect way to start the month of March!
I agree Chris! St. Patrick’s Day is getting closer, but no problem with starting early!
Both boy and I are part Irish, but for some reason we don’t really go full out and celebrate St. Patty’s day… probably because we are old and boring. Lol. But, you can be dang sure this soda bread will be making an appearance this year! I absolutely love the addition of raisins and seeds, Mare!!! I could legit make a meal out of just this bread!! Pinned! Cheers! xoxo
Ha! This is one of my favorite breads Chey! I love the currants, raisins and caraway. Even if it’s not authentic, I think it totally boosts the flavor of the bread!
Now you have me craving a big hunk of this with bangers and mash and it’s only morning! I could legit eat this right now for b fast! Love all the flavours with the caraway and raisins. Pinned! Looking forward to seeing you back here for Katherine’s baby shower :)
Then my job for the day is done Dawn! Time for me to relax and kick my feet up!
So nice and I love that you baked it in a pie plate :) This looks like the perfect side for Irish celebrations!
My mom always did it that way Jennifer. I LOVE it for St. Patrick’s Day!
Mine never comes out moist. I can’t wait to try your recipe…my family will wonder who took over the kitchen! ;) :)
I think you’ll really LOVE this recipe Annie! Let me know!
My family has Irish blood on both sides but we never had Irish soda bread around, even on St. Patrick’s Day. My parents will be in town this weekend so I think I’ll make this for them and complain about all I missed out on :). It sounds delicious! PS, can’t wait to see your recipe for the shower!
Lol! Hope you all love it Kelsie!
I would like to have to a piece or your good looking Irish bread smothered with butter and honey right now. It would make the perfect breakfast.
Yes it would Gerlinde! My mom’s recipe is my fave!
I’ve never made soda bread before! This looks delish!
So good and so easy Jennifer! Makes a really large loaf too, so sometimes I freeze a few slices and then just pop one out at a time and toast it up with my morning coffee! It’s a special treat!
I love Irish Soda Bread, and you’ve taken it to a whole new level with this!
Me too Matt! Thanks!
Now my plain old soda bread seems so boring, I need to load it up with fruit like this, I bet it’s amazing toasted!
It is Sue! Thanks!
Matt and the boys love when I make Irish Soda Bread, so I can’t wait to make this for them
Hope you all enjoy it Naomi!
It is not an exaggeration to say that I LOVE Irish Soda Bread – yours looks absolutely perfect. So making this for our St. Patrick’s Day meal!
Woohoo! So glad Marissa! Hope you enjoy it as much as we do!
This looks so tasty! My mom makes an Irish soda bread too, and it’s really good!
It is isn’t it Natasha?! I love it!
I do actually have a lot of Irish in my blood, but I’ve never had Irish soda bread! I’ve got to try this! I also love to celebrate all things Irish and green on St. Patrick’s Day!!
Oh no! You’ll need to get baking Katherine and make up for lost time!
My husband’s name is James Patrick Kelly and I’ve never made Irish Soda Bread? I have failed as a wife! I’m getting on this – this week! I can’t imagine how delicious this is when it’s right out of the oven!
Oh no Karen! I think James Patrick Kelly needs a loaf! Get baking love!
Being an O’Leary means Irish Soda Bread is very close to my heart. ;) Looks stunning!
I bet!! Thanks so much Kevin. Happy weekend!
Love the pie plate, Mary Ann and it’s been way too long since I’ve made Soda Bread! This looks delicious… the currents are a fabulous addition.
My mom always made it in a pie plate Traci. And it was always delicious. Such a tradition at our house!
My soda bread is boring compared to yours! Such great add-ins! I am sure my kids would prefer yours. :) Love the little bit of history our threw in there too- I love learning. xo
Thanks Emily! I love it with the currants and golden raisins! Happy Friday!
I love Irish Soda Bread! This looks amazing Mary Ann!
Thanks Tieghan! Me too!
This definitely looks moist and delicious! Love the addition of currants and golden raisins!
The texture of this bread looks lovely…and I love the added blackcurrants and raisins! I am glad this doesn’t have yeast and needs just baking soda to leaven it up! Thanks for sharing!
it’s a St. Patrick’s Day favorite here Deepika!
You’re bringing back memories, Mary Ann! My mom always made Irish soda bread – and I loved it. I don’t remember her putting raisin in it – but maybe I’m remembering wrong. A slice of this with a little bit of soft butter is the perfect easy breakfast!
Raisins and currants aren’t traditional, but my mom always added them and I love it that way!
This looks super tasty, and just in time for St Paddy’s day! Quick (and maybe a stupid) question: Is this bread more sweet or savoury?
It’s more sweet Cassidy. It’s a tradition at our house for St. Patrick’s Day!
I can almost taste it with butter slathered all over the top! Yum!
It’s a winner Leigh Ann! Hope you give it a try!