Ellie Mae's Not So Irish Soda Bread

A delightful twist on a classic, Ellie Mae’s Not So Irish Soda Bread combines the hearty charm of traditional soda bread with a sweet, citrusy upgrade. This easy-to-make bread features a tender crumb flavored with aromatic cinnamon, bursts of juicy raisins, and a zesty kick from fresh orange zest. Unlike its Irish counterpart, this recipe leans on rich buttermilk, a touch of vanilla, and just the right amount of sugar for a slightly sweet and comforting loaf. With a simple but striking "X" scored across the top, it bakes to golden perfection in under an hour. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon snack, enjoy this bread warm with a smear of butter or your favorite jam for a homemade treat that's both nostalgic and uniquely delicious.

Nutriscore Rating: 56/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:65 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 4 cups All-purpose flour
• 1 cup Granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon Baking powder
• 1 teaspoon Baking soda
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 4 tablespoons Unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
• 1 cup Raisins
• 1 tablespoon Orange zest
• 1 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
• 1.5 cups Buttermilk
• 1 Egg, beaten
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon.

Step 3

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

Step 4

Stir in the raisins and orange zest, ensuring they're evenly distributed throughout the mixture.

Step 5

In a medium bowl, combine the buttermilk, beaten egg, and vanilla extract. Whisk until smooth.

Step 6

Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour the buttermilk mixture in. Using a wooden spoon or spatula, stir gently until the dough comes together. Avoid overmixing; the dough should be slightly sticky.

Step 7

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead it a few times to form a cohesive ball.

Step 8

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

Step 9

Using a sharp knife, cut a shallow 'X' across the top of the loaf. This allows the bread to expand as it bakes.

Step 10

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

Step 11

Remove from the oven and let the bread cool on a wire rack for at least 15 minutes before slicing.

Step 12

Serve warm or at room temperature, plain or with butter and jam.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1354.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3734.6

Total Fat 68.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 38.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.8g
Cholesterol 349.3mg	0%
Sodium 4219.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 723.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 23.1g	0%
Total Sugars 324.3g
Protein 73.4g	0%

Vitamin D 230.3IU	0%
Calcium 662.0mg	0%
Iron 26.8mg	0%
Potassium 2332.8mg	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: 16.2%

Protein: 7.7%

Carbs: 76.1%