Mary Ann Henry's Super Soda Bread

Rustic, hearty, and delightfully simple, Mary Ann Henry's Super Soda Bread is the ultimate quick bread recipe for home bakers of all skill levels. Made with pantry staples like all-purpose flour, baking soda, and sugar, this traditional Irish-inspired loaf is elevated by the addition of buttermilk and a touch of cold, cubed butter for a tender, slightly crumbly texture. A lightly beaten egg enhances the richness, while optional raisins add a subtle pop of natural sweetness. Requiring just 15 minutes of prep time, this no-yeast bread is shaped by hand and baked to a golden perfection with its signature scored X on top. Perfect for breakfast, tea time, or alongside soups and stews, this soda bread is a versatile and crowd-pleasing addition to any table. Whether served warm with butter or toasted with jam, you'll find yourself reaching for slice after slice!

Nutriscore Rating: 44/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 4 cups All-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon Baking soda
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 2 tablespoons Granulated sugar
• 4 tablespoons Unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 1.75 cups Buttermilk
• 1 unit Egg, lightly beaten
• 0.5 cup Raisins (optional)

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 flour, baking soda, salt, and sugar to combine thoroughly.

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 so they are evenly distributed.

Step 5

In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk and beaten egg.

Step 6

Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the buttermilk mixture.

Step 7

Using a wooden spoon or your hands, gently mix until a sticky dough forms. Avoid overmixing to ensure the bread stays tender.

Step 8

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and gently shape it into a round loaf about 7-8 inches in diameter.

Step 9

Transfer the shaped dough to the prepared baking sheet. Use a sharp knife to score a deep X on the top of the loaf. This helps the bread bake evenly and creates its signature look.

Step 10

Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Step 11

Let the bread cool on a wire rack for at least 15 minutes before slicing and serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(655.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1094.0

Total Fat 65.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 39.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.8g
Cholesterol 357.0mg	0%
Sodium 4159.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 114.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 3.2g	0%
Total Sugars 97.3g
Protein 23.1g	0%

Vitamin D 291.0IU	0%
Calcium 585.0mg	0%
Iron 2.7mg	0%
Potassium 1297.5mg	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: 51.7%

Protein: 8.1%

Carbs: 40.2%