SWEET IRISH SODA BREAD

Sweet Irish Soda Bread a simple bread that is made with only a few ingredients, yet it is packed with flavor and texture. This easy Irish soda bread is more sweet and moist than traditional fare and is lovely served warm with butter.

This Irish soda bread recipe is a variation of the traditional recipe that includes sugar and raisins, which gives the bread a sweet and fruity flavor. Irish soda bread is often served as a dessert or snack and is best enjoyed with a cup of tea or coffee.

The BEST Sweet Irish Soda Bread Recipe

Sweet Irish soda bread is a popular bread in Ireland and around the world. It is a quick bread that is made with baking soda instead of yeast, which means it doesn’t require any rising time. The bread is traditionally made with simple ingredients like flour, baking soda, salt, and buttermilk. However, there are many variations of the recipe that include additional ingredients like sugar, raisins, and caraway seeds.

Usually, Irish soda bread is a more rustic round loaf of bread but we are changing things up just a tad. We like to make this Irish sweet bread recipe a little lighter and shaped like a loaf so it’s easier to cut and share. Serve up this delicious bread with a side of soup, stew, or corned beef and cabbage and you will have yourself an Irish-inspired meal that is sure to hit the spot!

Ingredients for Irish Soda Bread

Flour: You will need 3 cups of all-purpose flour for the base of this bread recipe.

Sugar: Adding in ½ cup of granulated sugar is what makes it bread so tasty and sweet. If you want a slightly less sweet bread, you can cut this amount in half, it will still taste amazing.

Leavening agents: You will need 1 tablespoon of baking powder and 1 teaspoon of baking soda to help this bread rise properly.

Egg: Use 1 slightly beaten egg to help bind the dough together well and provide a lovely soft texture.

Buttermilk: Using 2 cups of buttermilk will make the dough the perfect consistency while adding a nice richness in taste.

Butter: You will need ¼ cup (half a stick) of melted salted butter to help give the bread needed fats to stay moist.

How to Make Sweet Irish Soda Bread

Prep

Start by preheating your oven to 325 degrees F.

Then, grease the inside of a 9×5 bread loaf pan and set it aside.

Bread dough

Next, in a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and baking soda.

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

After that, combine the wet ingredients into the large bowl with the flour mixture. Stir until well mixed.

Then, add in the melted butter and stir until the mixt just combines. Be careful to not overmix.

Bake

Proceed to pour the bread batter into the prepared bread pan.

Place in the preheated oven and bake for 60-65 minutes or until a toothpick can be inserted and come out clean.

Serve

For maximized deliciousness, top with some butter, honey, jam, or jelly if desired.

Slice, serve and enjoy!

Tips for making Savory Soda Bread

This soda bread can be made savory by adding ingredients such as cheese, herbs, and spices. Cheddar cheese and chopped herbs like rosemary or thyme can be added to the dry ingredients before mixing. For a spicier version, diced jalapenos or red pepper flakes can be added. Whatever your preference, have fun mixing up the flavors in this simple, yet delicious bread!

How long is Irish soda bread good for?

If stored properly it will keep for 3-5 days. Wrap in plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container or freezer bag. It can be stored at room temperature for a few days or in the refrigerator for one week. If you want to store it for longer, keep it in the freezer and allow it to thaw at room temperature before serving.

Why is my bread dense?

If you find that your bread loaf is a bit dense or tough in texture then it could very well be because you overmixed the dough. Only mix as much as you have to to get the ingredients fully incorporated and no more than that.

Can I make this Irish Soda Bread Gluten Free?

For those who are gluten intolerant or have celiac disease, gluten-free flour can be used as a substitute for regular flour. A blend of rice flour, potato starch, and tapioca flour can be used in place of wheat flour. It is important to note that gluten-free flour tends to be drier, so additional liquid may be needed to achieve the desired consistency.

BEST BREAD PAN?

I bake a lot of bread and the pans I prefer are either ceramic, glass or cast iron. These pans will bake bread more evenly and release the bread more easily after baking.  I don’t like using dark or nonstick pans because the bread cooks unevenly. It darkens on the outside before the bread is cooked on the inside, so the coloring is uneven. Read more about which bread pan is the best here!

Check out these other Irish inspired recipes! They are PERFECT For St Patrick’s Day!

• CHOCOLATE PISTACHIO PINWHEEL COOKIES for ST. PATRICK’S DAY
• SAUSAGE POTATO BOATS
• MINT MUDDY BUDDIES
• EASY PISTACHIO SALAD RECIPE
• FUN & FESTIVE ST. PATRICK’S DAY DESSERTS
• ST. PATRICKS DAY HOT CHOCOLATE BOMBS
• MINT CHOCOLATE CHIP CREAM PIE
• ST. PATRICKS DAY SUGAR COOKIES
• RAINBOW FROSTED GRAHAM CRACKERS
• THE BEST MINT BROWNIES
• PISTACHIO PUDDING COOKIES
• EASY PISTACHIO CREAM PIE

Sweet Irish Soda Bread is an easy treat that is made with just a few basic ingredients, yet it is packed with amazing flavor and texture. This easy Irish soda bread yields a deliciously sweet and very moist loaf of bread that is perfect for St Patrick’s day.