Classic Rich Irish Soda Bread Recipe with Caraway and Raisins
A quick and easy Irish soda bread featuring a tender crumb, sweet raisins, and aromatic caraway seeds. Perfect for cozy occasions and made without yeast.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Total Time: 50-55 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Bread
- Cuisine: Irish
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups (480g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons caraway seeds
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 4 tablespoons (56g) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup (115g) raisins
- 1 3/4 cups (420ml) buttermilk
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Position a rack in the middle to ensure even heat.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and caraway seeds until evenly distributed.
- Stir in sugar, then add softened butter and rub it into the flour mixture with your fingers until it resembles coarse crumbs.
- Toss raisins into the dry mixture to coat them and prevent sinking.
- Gradually add buttermilk, stirring gently with a wooden spoon until the dough just comes together. Do not overmix.
- Turn dough onto a floured surface and gently knead 3-4 times to bring it together. Shape into a round loaf about 7 inches (18 cm) in diameter.
- Place dough on a baking sheet or lightly greased cast iron skillet. Score a deep cross about 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) deep on top of the loaf.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes until crust is golden brown and loaf sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
- Transfer to a wire rack and cool for at least 20 minutes before slicing.
Notes
Do not overmix the dough to avoid a tough loaf. Use fresh baking soda for proper rising. Lightly toast caraway seeds to enhance flavor. Let bread cool before slicing to set the crumb. For a softer crust, brush melted butter on top after baking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 of loa
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 4
- Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 33
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 5
Keywords: Irish soda bread, caraway seeds, raisins, quick bread, no yeast bread, traditional Irish bread, easy bread recipe