Sheila's Irish Soda Bread

Celebrate the heartwarming flavors of traditional Irish baking with Sheila's Irish Soda Bread, a simple yet rustic delight that's perfect for any time of year. This no-yeast bread is made with just a handful of pantry staples, including all-purpose flour, tangy buttermilk, and a touch of sugar for subtle sweetness. Cold, cubed butter ensures a tender crumb, while an optional cup of raisins can be folded in for added bursts of fruity flavor. Ready in just an hour, this quick bread features a signature deep cross scored into its golden crust, which helps it bake evenly and gives it that classic Irish charm. Serve it fresh from the oven with a pat of butter, a drizzle of honey, or alongside a hearty stew for a comforting, homemade touch. Perfect for St. Patrick's Day or as an everyday treat, Sheila's Irish Soda Bread is as versatile as it is delicious.

Nutriscore Rating: 61/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:60 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, chilled
• 1 large Egg
• 1 cup 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

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, gently fold them into the dry mixture at this stage.

Step 5

In a separate bowl, whisk together the chilled buttermilk and the egg until combined.

Step 6

Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the buttermilk mixture. Using a wooden spoon or your hands, stir until the dough comes together. Avoid over-mixing.

Step 7

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead for about 1 minute to bring it together into a round loaf. The dough should remain slightly sticky but manageable.

Step 8

Transfer the dough onto the prepared baking sheet or skillet. Using a sharp knife, score a deep cross (about 1/2 inch deep) into the top of the loaf. This allows the bread to bake evenly.

Step 9

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 10

Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack for at least 15 minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy warm or at room temperature!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1229.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3038.2

Total Fat 63.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 34.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.0g
Cholesterol 359.3mg	0%
Sodium 4237.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 548.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 19.5g	0%
Total Sugars 148.8g
Protein 76.0g	0%

Vitamin D 304.0IU	0%
Calcium 708.0mg	0%
Iron 26.8mg	0%
Potassium 2524.6mg	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: 18.5%

Protein: 9.9%

Carbs: 71.6%