Gram's Irish Bread
Celebrate tradition with Gram's Irish Bread, a time-honored recipe that brings the heart of Irish baking to your kitchen. This classic soda bread combines pantry staples like all-purpose flour, buttermilk, and a touch of sweetness from granulated sugar, creating a tender, golden loaf with minimal effort. Made extra delightful with optional raisins, it strikes a perfect balance between rustic charm and homemade comfort. The recipe’s simple technique—incorporating chilled butter for a flaky texture and scoring the iconic "X" for even baking—makes it approachable for bakers of all levels. Ready in just about an hour, this 8-serving loaf is ideal for breakfast, a cozy tea accompaniment, or even alongside hearty stews. If you're searching for an easy Irish soda bread recipe that's rich in flavor and tradition, Gram's Irish Bread is sure to become a family favorite.
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Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
- 1.75 cups buttermilk
- 1 cup raisins (optional)
Directions
Step 1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
Step 2
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined.
Step 3
Using your fingers or a pastry cutter, work the chilled butter cubes into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Step 4
Gradually add the buttermilk to the bowl, stirring with a wooden spoon or spatula until a shaggy dough begins to form. If using raisins, fold them in during this step.
Step 5
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently for about 1-2 minutes, just until the dough comes together. Be careful not to overwork it.
Step 6
Shape the dough into a round loaf approximately 8 inches in diameter and transfer it to the prepared baking sheet.
Step 7
Using a sharp knife, cut a deep 'X' into the top of the loaf. This allows the bread to cook evenly and prevents cracking.
Step 8
Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
Step 9
Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes before slicing and serving.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (1197.7g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 3092.6 |
| Total Fat 65.7g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 38.4g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 0.8g | |
| Cholesterol 171.0mg | 0% |
| Sodium 5473.9mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 567.0g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 19.5g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 161.0g | |
| Protein 69.0g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 222.0IU | 0% |
| Calcium 676.3mg | 0% |
| Iron 25.6mg | 0% |
| Potassium 2383.0mg | 0% |
Source of Calories