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Classic Homemade Irish Soda Bread with Sweet Raisins

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A soft, tender Irish soda bread loaf with sweet raisins, quick to mix and bake without yeast or kneading. Perfect for cozy moments and simple to make with pantry staples.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups (480g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1¾ cups (420ml) buttermilk (or whole milk plus 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar, let sit for 5 minutes)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 cup (150g) sweet raisins, soaked in warm water for 10 minutes and drained

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease a cast iron skillet.
  2. Soak 1 cup of sweet raisins in warm water for 10 minutes, then drain and pat dry.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together 4 cups (480g) all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon salt, and 2 tablespoons granulated sugar until evenly combined.
  4. Make a well in the center and pour in 1¾ cups (420ml) buttermilk and 2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter. Stir gently with a wooden spoon until the dough just comes together. It will be sticky—do not overmix or knead.
  5. Gently fold in the drained raisins, distributing them evenly throughout the dough.
  6. Turn the sticky dough out onto a lightly floured surface and shape it into a round loaf about 7 inches (18 cm) wide and 3 inches (7.5 cm) high. Avoid overworking.
  7. Transfer the loaf to your prepared pan. Use a sharp knife to cut a deep cross (about ½ inch / 1 cm deep) on top.
  8. Bake for 35 to 45 minutes until the bread has a golden crust and sounds hollow when tapped underneath.
  9. Transfer the bread to a wire rack and let it cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing.

Notes

Do not overmix the dough to avoid tough bread. Use fresh baking soda for best rise. Soak raisins to keep them plump and juicy. Tent with foil if crust browns too fast. Check doneness by tapping the bottom of the loaf—it should sound hollow.

Nutrition

Keywords: Irish soda bread, homemade bread, quick bread, raisin bread, easy bread recipe, no yeast bread, traditional Irish bread

Find it online: https://tessierecipes.com/classic-homemade-irish-soda-bread-with-sweet-raisins-easy-recipe-for-perfect-soft-loaf/