Soft Irish Soda Bread with Golden Raisins
A tender, slightly sweet Irish soda bread made with golden raisins and buttermilk. This easy, no-knead recipe comes together in under 10 minutes and bakes to a golden, flaky perfection.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf (serves 8) 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Cuisine: Irish
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup golden raisins
- 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1 large egg yolk beaten with 1 tablespoon water (for egg wash)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Stir in the golden raisins, optionally coating them lightly in the flour mixture to prevent sinking.
- Add the cold, cubed butter and rub it into the flour using a pastry blender or fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with pea-sized butter pieces.
- Make a well in the center and pour in the buttermilk. Mix gently with a wooden spoon or hands until the dough just comes together; do not overmix.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and gently press it into a round shape about 1.5 inches thick.
- Place the loaf on the prepared baking sheet and score a deep cross into the top with a sharp serrated knife, cutting all the way through.
- Brush the top with the beaten egg yolk mixture.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown and the bottom sounds hollow when tapped.
- Let the bread cool on a wire rack for at least 15 minutes before slicing.
Notes
Keep all ingredients, especially the butter, cold to ensure a flaky texture. Do not overmix the dough, as this develops gluten and makes the bread tough. If the top browns too quickly, cover loosely with foil after 15 minutes. For best results, use fresh baking soda.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 12
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 8
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 42
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 5
Keywords: Irish soda bread, golden raisins, quick bread, no yeast, buttermilk bread, St. Patrick's Day, easy baking, homemade bread