Best Irish Soda Bread Recipe
This is a very rich and fancy version of a traditional Irish soda bread. Perfect with a big slab of salted Irish butter and a cup of tea!
Equipment
- 10 inch cast iron skillet
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter divided, plus more for the pan
- 3 cups cake flour
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 2 large eggs at room temperature
- 1 3/4 cups buttermilk or buttermilk substitute
- 1 1/2 cups dried currants
- 1 tbsp caraway sees optional
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350 F. Grease a 10-inch ovenproof or dutch oven and line with parchment paper.
- Melt 2 tbsp of butter in the microwave. Pour the butter into a large bowl, and whisk in the eggs, followed by the buttermilk, until combined.
- Sift the dry ingredients (flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda) into the wet ingredients and stir with a wooden spoon until just moistened; do not overmix. You should have a very sticky dough on your hands.
- Stir the currants and caraway seeds (if using) into the dough.
- Melt the remaining 2 tbsp of butter in the microwave.
- Pour the batter into the prepared skillet or dutch oven. Use a sharp knife to cut a deep cross in the top of the bread. This will ward off any evil fairies.
- Brush the melted butter over the top of the dough. Bake until golden brown and firm to touch, roughly 1 hour.
- Cool 10 minutes on a wire rack before slicing with a serrated knife and smearing with butter.
- Eat this fresh bread as soon as possible, as it will not keep well. If you must, wrap tightly in plastic wrap.