Busch Gardens Annie Grogan's Irish Soda Bread

Transport yourself to the heart of Ireland with Busch Gardens Annie Grogan's Irish Soda Bread, a classic recipe brimming with rustic charm. This traditional bread combines pantry staples like all-purpose flour, baking soda, and buttermilk to create a tender, golden loaf with just a hint of sweetness from optional raisins. Perfect for St. Patrick's Day or any time you crave a touch of Irish heritage, this easy-to-make bread comes together in just an hour, requiring minimal effort and no yeast. Its signature "X" scoring not only gives the loaf its iconic appearance but helps it bake evenly for a fluffy interior and crisp crust. Enjoy this authentic Irish soda bread warm with a generous spread of butter, or pair it with hearty soups and stews for a comforting meal.

Nutriscore Rating: 58/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 4 cups All-purpose flour
• 4 tablespoons Granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon Baking soda
• 1 teaspoon Baking powder
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 4 tablespoons Unsalted butter (cold, cubed)
• 1.5 cups Raisins (optional)
• 1 large Egg, beaten
• 1.25 cups Buttermilk
• 2 tablespoons Heavy cream or milk (for brushing)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease a cast-iron skillet.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until well combined.

Step 3

Add the cold, cubed butter to the dry ingredients. Using a pastry cutter or your fingertips, work the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.

Step 4

If using raisins, stir them into the flour mixture to evenly distribute.

Step 5

In a small bowl, beat the egg and mix it with the buttermilk. Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour the wet ingredients into it.

Step 6

Gently fold the ingredients together with a wooden spoon or spatula until a shaggy dough forms. Do not overmix.

Step 7

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead it gently for about 1-2 minutes, just until it comes together into a cohesive ball.

Step 8

Shape the dough into a round loaf and transfer it to the prepared baking sheet or skillet.

Step 9

Using a sharp knife, score a deep 'X' across the top of the loaf. This allows the bread to expand as it bakes and prevents splitting.

Step 10

Brush the top of the dough lightly with heavy cream or milk for a golden crust.

Step 11

Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Step 12

Remove from the oven and let the soda bread cool on a wire rack for at least 10 minutes before slicing.

Step 13

Serve warm or at room temperature. This bread is delicious on its own or with butter, jam, or a drizzle of honey.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1242.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3487.4

Total Fat 77.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 44.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.6g
Cholesterol 376.6mg	0%
Sodium 3369.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 639.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 22.7g	0%
Total Sugars 219.2g
Protein 74.2g	0%

Vitamin D 198.6IU	0%
Calcium 638.0mg	0%
Iron 28.2mg	0%
Potassium 2937.3mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 19.7%

Protein: 8.4%

Carbs: 71.9%