Mrs Sharp's Irish Soda Bread

Celebrate traditional Irish baking with Mrs. Sharp's Irish Soda Bread, a timeless recipe that delivers a delightfully rustic loaf with minimal effort. This classic quick bread comes together without yeast, relying on the magic of baking soda and buttermilk for its tender crumb and subtle tang. Featuring a simple mix of pantry staples like all-purpose flour, sugar, and a touch of butter, this recipe achieves perfect flavor and texture in just under an hour. For added sweetness, include raisins or currants, which pair beautifully with a warm smear of butter. Baked to golden perfection with its signature "X" scored on top, this soda bread is perfect for breakfast, alongside soups or stews, or as a comforting teatime treat. Easy to prepare and rich in tradition, Mrs. Sharp's Irish Soda Bread is a must-try for any home baker.

Nutriscore Rating: 59/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 4 cups All-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons Granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon Baking soda
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 4 tablespoons Unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 1.75 cups Buttermilk
• 1 unit Egg, large
• 1 cup Currants or raisins (optional)

Directions

Step 1

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

Step 2

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

Step 3

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

Step 4

If using currants or raisins, stir them into the flour mixture at this point.

Step 5

In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk and the egg until fully blended.

Step 6

Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients, then pour the buttermilk mixture into the well. Mix gently with a wooden spoon or your hands until a sticky dough forms. Be careful not to overmix.

Step 7

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and shape it into a round loaf. Avoid kneading the dough too much as this can make the bread tough.

Step 8

Transfer the loaf to the prepared baking sheet or skillet. Using a sharp knife, score a deep 'X' on top of the dough; this helps the bread bake evenly and gives it its traditional look.

Step 9

Bake in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.

Step 10

Remove from the oven and allow it to cool slightly on a wire rack before slicing. Serve warm with butter or your favorite toppings.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1209.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3065.2

Total Fat 70.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 39.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.8g
Cholesterol 357.0mg	0%
Sodium 4173.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 537.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 19.1g	0%
Total Sugars 162.9g
Protein 73.8g	0%

Vitamin D 290.0IU	0%
Calcium 676.3mg	0%
Iron 25.4mg	0%
Potassium 2372.0mg	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: 20.6%

Protein: 9.6%

Carbs: 69.8%