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Cozy Classic Irish Soda Bread Recipe with Sweet Raisins Made Easy

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A quick and comforting Irish soda bread with sweet raisins, perfect for cozy occasions and made with simple pantry staples. This bread offers a tender crumb with a subtle tang from buttermilk and bursts of juicy raisins.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups (480g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 ¾ cups (420ml) buttermilk (or 1 ¾ cups milk mixed with 1 tablespoon lemon juice, let sit 5 minutes)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 cup (150g) sweet raisins

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Position a rack in the center for even heat circulation.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and sugar until evenly distributed.
  3. Stir in the raisins, coating them lightly with flour to prevent sinking during baking.
  4. In a separate measuring cup, mix buttermilk with melted butter.
  5. Pour the buttermilk mixture into the dry ingredients. Gently fold with a wooden spoon or spatula until a sticky dough forms. Avoid overmixing.
  6. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently a few times to form a round loaf about 7 inches (18 cm) in diameter.
  7. Place the shaped dough onto a prepared baking sheet or cast-iron skillet.
  8. Score a deep cross (about ½ inch / 1.25 cm deep) on top of the dough with a sharp knife.
  9. Bake for 35-40 minutes until golden brown and crust is firm. Tap the bottom of the loaf; it should sound hollow when done.
  10. Remove from oven and cool on a wire rack for at least 15 minutes before slicing.

Notes

Do not overwork the dough to keep it tender. Use fresh baking soda for best rise. Score the dough deeply to help it expand evenly. Cool the bread before slicing to prevent crumbling. If crust browns too quickly, tent with foil halfway through baking. Soak raisins briefly if dry. For a crispier crust, bake on a preheated baking stone or add a pan of water to the oven for steam.

Nutrition

Keywords: Irish soda bread, soda bread with raisins, quick bread, traditional Irish bread, easy bread recipe, no yeast bread, cozy bread, sweet raisin bread

Find it online: https://lunafeast.com/cozy-classic-irish-soda-bread-recipe-with-sweet-raisins-made-easy/