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    Where Is My Spoon > Recipes > Bread

    Sweet Irish Soda Bread

    Last modified: Mar 1, 2024 ยท Published by Adina, Feb 25, 2022 ยท 6 Comments

    Jump to Recipe
    pinterest image with title for sweet irish soda bread.

    This is an amazing recipe for sweet Irish soda bread with raisins and caraway seeds. Bake delicious bread from start to finish in only 40 minutes.

    loaf of wheaten bread with raisins and caraways seeds on the table

    I remember the first time I baked this sweet Irish soda bread with raisins and caraway seeds. I was so delighted by it; I couldn't stop talking about it for days... I think I was pretty annoying; most people don't get as enthusiastic about a good recipe as I tend to do...

    The Irish soda bread is soft and not overly sweet, with those little juicy raisins and, best of all, the slight caraway flavor, which is just amazing! Please, even if you think you are not much into caraway, don't leave it out; it belongs here!  

    And if you are looking for more St. Patrick's Day food ideas, check out the Dutch Oven Irish Stew, our delicious Irish Potatoes and Cabbage, or make some fluffy Bailey's Muffins.

    Jump to recipe
    • What is soda bread?
    • Recipe ingredients
    • Substitutions or additions
    • How to make sweet Irish soda bread
    • Tips
    • โ“Recipe FAQs
    • How to store and freeze?
    • Serving suggestions
    • More easy bread recipes
    • Recipe
    • Sweet Irish Soda Bread

    What is soda bread?

    Soda bread is a quick bread made without yeast. Instead, baking soda is used to help it rise, reacting with the buttermilk to create a soft, crumbly texture without needing kneading or rising.

    The shape of soda bread can vary depending on the region. It could be a loaf, round, flattened, or even a triangle. A good sweet soda bread has a mild, slightly sweet, and biscuit-like taste.

    The basic version only needs four ingredients: flour, salt, baking soda, and buttermilk. But you can find many variations, like savory ones with cheese, herbs, or garlic and sweet ones with chocolate chips, nuts, or dried fruit.

    Try our Irish Guinness Brown Bread Recipe or the Easy Yogurt Soda Bread. Or make Green Bread with Spinach.

    Recipe ingredients

    ingredients for soda bread

    Buttermilk is important because it reacts with baking soda to help the bread rise.

    Oranges and dried fruit:ย I used a mixture ofย raisins and cranberries. I love the tarter cranberry taste, so I often combine them with very sweet raisins. However, cranberries are optional; you can replace them with more raisins if you wish.

    Other ingredients: All-purpose flour, baking soda, sea or Kosher salt, caraway seeds, honey, and oil.

    See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

    Substitutions or additions

    Use sugar instead of honey; you will need 5-6 tablespoons of granulated or light brown sugar; you can add more to taste, but the loaf should only be slightly sweet.

    Add nuts, such as walnuts, hazelnuts, pecans, etc., if you like. Try other sweet loaves with nuts, Pull-Apart Yeast Bread, Romanian Cozonac Recipe, or Pumpkin Almond Flour Bread.

    How to make sweet Irish soda bread

    mixing dried fruit with flour in a blue bowl.

    Step #1: Combine flour, salt, and baking soda in a large bowl.

    mixed dry ingredients for making soda bread in a bowl.

    Step #2: Add raisins, cranberries, caraway seeds, and orange zest. Mix.

    stirring buttermilk into flour mixture with a spoon.

    Step #3: Pour mixed wet ingredients into the flour mixture.

    mixing the dough for sweet irish soda bread with a spoon in a bowl.

    Step #4: Mix quickly until just combined. Don't overmix.

    unbaked round loaf of soda bread cut in the middle on a baking sheet.

    Step #5: Knead the dough a few times to form a round loaf. Place on the baking sheet. Dust with flour. Slash a cross on top.

    crusty sweet soda bread on a round cutting board.

    Step #6: Bake for about 30 minutes until deeply brown. Let cool on a wire rack

    Tips

    A digital kitchen scale (the Amazon affiliate link opens in a new tab) will give you the most precise measure, ensuring the best bake possible.

    Don't knead the dough too much; just push it together to give the raisin bread its rough shape.

    Slash the shaped dough before putting it into the oven; the slash prevents cracking and helps the center of the bread bake through.

    slice of brown bread with raisins close up

    โ“Recipe FAQs

    Do I need caraway seeds for soda bread?

    My favorite thing about this loaf is the caraway flavor; I wouldn't leave it out. It is not mandatory for the success of the baking process, but flavor-wise, it is incredible.
    Use some more to make Fried Cabbage with Bacon, German Goulash, or Cheese Caraway Crackers,

    What kind of pan should I use for baking Irish bread?

    If you have a cast-iron skillet, use it, it's perfect. Otherwise, a regular baking tray lined with parchment paper will work fine, too.

    How to make buttermilk for soda bread?

    Add 1 ยฝ teaspoon lemon juice or white vinegar to 150 ml/ 45 fl. oz/ โ…” cup milk. Leave to stand for 5-10 minutes and use as required. Or make a Soda Bread without Buttermilk (the link opens in a new tab).

    How to store and freeze?

    The sweet Irish soda bread is fluffier and softer on the day you bake it, and it gets slightly firmer and chewier during the next days. However, that is not a bad thing: it tastes just as delicious!

    Room temperature: Wrapped in a clean kitchen towel, the sweet soda bread will be fine for 2-3 days.

    Refrigerator: It will keep well for 5-6 days.

    Freeze it for up to 3 months: Let it cool completely, wrap it in plastic wrap (cling film), place it in a freezer bag or an airtight container, and freeze it. You can also slice it, place it in freezer bags and freeze it. This way, you can only thaw a few slices if you wish.

    Let thaw in the fridge overnight or on the counter; it will take a few hours, less if it's already sliced.

    breakfast arrangement with soda bread, butter and jam.

    Serving suggestions

    Freshly baked sweet soda bread with a little butter and a cup of tea is more than amazing. Black tea is typical, but maybe you would like to try our Elderflower Tea or the Turmeric Golden Tea.

    You can also spread some Apricot Jam, Strawberry Rhubarb Jam, honey, or nut butter on top for a super indulgent, delicious breakfast (or snack).

    I've read about serving it with corned beef and cabbage. You can if you like, I won't.

    More easy bread recipes

    • sliced banana bread bundt cake with chocolate chips.
      Easy Banana Bread Bundt Cake
    • hungarian nut roll sliced on a white cloth.
      Beigli - Traditional Hungarian Nut Rolls
    • romanian yeast pastries mucenici in a basket lined with a vintage cloth.
      Romanian Mucenici Recipe
    • branzoaice or romanian sweet cheese pie in a small basket.
      Romanian Sweet Cheese Pies โ€“ Branzoaice

    Do you like this recipe?

    Please leave a good rating in the recipe card below. Stay in touch through social media: Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram. Donโ€™t forget to tag #whereismyspoon when you try a recipe!

    Recipe

    sliced sweet irish soda bread showing the dried fruit inside.

    Sweet Irish Soda Bread

    This is an amazing recipe for sweet Irish soda bread. A moist, aromatic bread with raisins and caraway seeds.
    4.79 from 14 votes
    Print Pin Share GrowSaved! Rate
    Course: Bread
    Cuisine: Irish
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 40 minutes minutes
    Servings: 1 small loaf
    Calories: 214kcal
    Author: Adina

    Equipment

    • Large bowl
    • Baking sheet
    • Parchment paper
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients 

    • 2 cups all-purpose flour Note 1
    • pinch of salt
    • 1 ยฝ teaspoons baking soda bicarbonate of soda
    • ยฝ cup raisins
    • ยฝ cup cranberries
    • 1 teaspoon caraway seeds
    • zest 1 orange
    • ยผ cup orange juice
    • โ…“ cup buttermilk Note 2
    • 3 tablespoons runny honey
    • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil like rapeseed or sunflower

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 400ยฐF/ 200ยฐC. Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
    • Dry ingredients: Mix flour, salt, and baking soda. Add the raisins, cranberries, caraway seeds, and orange zest.
      2 cups all-purpose flour+ pinch of salt + 1 ยฝ teaspoons baking soda + ยฝ cup raisins+ ยฝ cup cranberries + 1 teaspoon caraway seeds + zest 1 orange
    • Wet ingredients: Mix the orange juice, buttermilk, honey, and oil in a jug and stir until the honey dissolves. Pour this mixture into the dry ingredients and mix quickly until just combined. Do not overmix.
      ยผ cup orange juice + โ…“ cup buttermilk + 3 tablespoons runny honey + 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
    • Knead dough: Turn the rather sticky dough onto a floured surface and knead a few times to form a round loaf. Don't overwork the dough; just bring it into shape (Note 3).
    • Slash soda bread: Place the dough on the prepared baking tray and lightly dust with a bit of flour. Slash a cross on top, about halfway through the bread (Note 4).
    • Bake the Irish sweet soda bread for about 30 minutes until deeply brown. Let cool on a wire rack.

    Notes

    1. Measurements: Use a digital kitchen scale (the Amazon affiliate link opens in a new tab) to measure the ingredients when baking; it guarantees for best results.
    2. Make buttermilk: As buttermilk is not something you always have in the house and as you need such a small amount, you can make your own buttermilk by adding 1 ยฝ teaspoon lemon juice or white vinegar to 150 ml/ 45 fl. oz/ โ…” cup milk.ย Leave to stand for 5-10 minutes and use as required.
    3. Don't knead the dough too much; it's enough to push it together to give it a rough round shape.
    4. The slashes prevent cracking and help the center of the bread bake through.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 2slices | Calories: 214kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 262mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 15g
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @adinabeck or tag #WhereIsMySpoon!

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    Comments

    1. Vanessa says

      August 14, 2024 at 5:23 am

      5 stars
      Lovely loaf!!! Was just wondering if I could use yeast in the next one I make? And if so, would I still need the baking soda for that kinda soda taste?

      Reply
      • Adina says

        August 14, 2024 at 7:06 am

        Ho Vanessa. I am happy you liked it. This recipe doesn't work with yeast. But search the blog, you will find many yeast bread recipes.

        Reply
    2. Loretta says

      March 17, 2024 at 6:40 pm

      Can I use Gluten-free flour, instead & Can I use butter instead of sunflower oil?
      Thanks looks delicious Loretta ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿ˜Ž๐Ÿ˜‹

      Reply
      • Adina says

        March 18, 2024 at 7:34 am

        Hi Loretta. I never use gluten free flour in anything, so I can't say if that would work. You can't replace butter with oil in baking so easily, but as there are only 2 tablespoons in this recipe, it might work.

        Reply
    3. Shirley says

      March 04, 2022 at 7:15 am

      5 stars
      I like soaking my raisins and cranberries in some libation before adding them to my recipes. I then take them out of the liquid and pat them dry and them mix with a little bit of flour before adding them to my recipe to keep them from sinking in the bottom of the batter. This recipes sounds great and I will have to get some granny smiths and try it.

      Reply
      • Adina says

        March 04, 2022 at 8:05 am

        That sounds good, Shirley, I hope you like this soda bread as much as we do.

        Reply
    4.79 from 14 votes (12 ratings without comment)

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